Story
Challenge Completed!
Message from Anne after completing the pedalo challenge:
Well we did it, but the weather was not in our favour.
We set off from Fell Foot Park at 9.30am with a good crowd sending us off. The wind changed direction so we were pedalling into the wind and against the current. It was grey with very dark clouds but fortunately only a slight drizzle. Because of the waves caused by passing steamers, each wave let water into the pedalo, so we had to keep bailing out using plastic bags and water bottles! Unfortunately the helium Union Jack balloons just lay on the water due to the wind direction and were impeding our progress so had to be removed at one point.
It was very cold and therefore quite difficult to keep warm but I had two heat packs on my back, three thermal vests, three silver fibre tops, a woollen jacket, waterproof trousers and top and then a life jacket! Wet feet don’t help to keep you warm but I was determined to finish whatever the consequences. I also tried to take photos from the boat so had to take my gloves off. The water coming over the sides into the pedalo got my finger bandages somewhat wet which didn’t help.
Don Gilet (BBC actor) was great, especially as he hadn’t been training as I had. He did get cramp with about a mile and a half to go but worked through it as he wasn’t going to let a 70 year old woman beat him!
It was comforting to have a support boat close by, driven by my husband and Dr Mark Edwards, (rheumatologist in Southampton), who had volunteered to help out onboard in case of any emergency.
It took 6 hours to complete the course and we were given a wonderful welcome by supporters at Bowness.
The good news is that to date the challenge has raised over £21,000 with donations still coming! Thank you to everyone who has supported me.
The Challenge:
On Monday 11th June 2012, RSA founder and CEO Anne Mawdsley pedalled a pedalo on Lake Windermere from Fell Foot Park (National Trust) to Ferry Nab - a distance of 5 miles. According to Windermere's Tourist Board this had never been done before.
After the Husky Challenge in 2010 and the risks she has taken in the past, her doctors came up with the criteria for her 2012 challenge: it must not be minus 32º, she is not allowed to jump out of a plane and she must not run or walk. The first challenge was choosing a new challenge which ideally involved sitting down. Since visiting Lake Windermere to finalise the event, Anne had been warned of the dangers involved by the Lake Warden but it did not deter her!
As it is a two seater pedalo Anne needed a companion who would help to raise awareness through publicity with the media. For this she enlisted the help of actor Don Gilet, as she explained: “I was delighted when Don Gilet agreed to join me. For those of you who watch EastEnders, Don played the character of Lucas Johnson, the preacher turned bad guy! Don has appeared in many television shows including Streetmate, Babyfather, 55 Degrees North, The Line of Duty, Doctor Who, Casualty, Holby City, Silent Witness and The Bill”. More recently he appeared in the BBC drama series One Night.
Don also has a personal connection to both conditions. Earlier this year Anne attended and spoke at the funeral of 43 year old Roger Pemberton. Roger had Raynaud’s and scleroderma and Anne had known him since he was 18 and lived in Alsager.
Roger coped magnificently with his conditions over the years, especially after he moved to St Kitts in the West Indies. He managed to live a very normal life which was facilitated by the warm Caribbean climate - a boost to sufferers of these conditions. While in St Kitts, Roger worked as an IT lecturer, a regional consultant in Computer Studies and a graphics artist. He was also a talented musician.
In 2010 Roger’s condition rapidly deteriorated and he had a leg amputated in a desperate effort to save and extend his life. Regrettably he lost the battle in February 2011 to Raynaud’s and scleroderma and was laid to rest on March 7th. Don Gilet had been his school friend and met Anne at Roger’s funeral. It therefore seems very fitting that Don should support the event in Roger’s memory and we are most grateful to him. Roger's story highlights the ongoing need for research and awareness, something which the RSA aims to increase through the Cool Million campaign. Please support this cause by sponsoring Anne for this challenge.
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