Every year, we (Deb and Daisy) commit to paddleboarding one of the UK’s canals together—and this time, we’ve chosen our biggest challenge yet.

We’ll be paddleboarding the entire length of the Grand Union mainline canal—138 miles from Brentford, London, to Birmingham. With 182 locks, multiple tunnels (that we’ll have to walk around), and 12 days of back-to-back paddling—this is no small feat. On many days, we’ll be paddling up to 15 miles, carrying our own kit, including tents, cooking equipment, and everything we need to keep going.

Each time we reach a lock, we’ll need to come off the water, unstrap our bags, flip the paddleboards onto wheels, tie the bags back on, and pull the lot around the lock—only to do it all again at the next one! And when we reach tunnels, we can’t paddle through them, so we’ll be walking—with our boards and all our gear. One of those walks is a full 2 miles.

🗓️ We'll begin our journey on 10th May and finish on 21st May 2025.

Deb:

Since discovering paddleboarding and teaching others, I’ve heard time and again how much the water supports people’s wellbeing. I want to use this experience to give back—to help support a charity that provides vital care to those struggling with their mental health. Mental health matters just as much as physical health. Teesside Mind does incredible work, and I’m proud to support them.

Daisy:

As a psychologist, I work daily with people facing mental health challenges—but many of them can afford private therapy or have access through insurance. Sadly, this isn’t the case for everyone. Mental health services are overstretched and underfunded. Teesside Mind offers free, high-quality services for both adults and young people—and fundraising like this is crucial to keep those services going.

I’m also on a personal mission to paddleboard every canal in the UK. With over 500 miles already completed, this challenge adds another big stretch. And sharing the journey with Deb—who’s there to keep me safe from angry swans and cheer me on when I’m flagging—makes it even more meaningful.

We know many people who find life incredibly difficult, and we hope our challenge not only raises money but also inspires hope. Mental health affects us all—you never know when you or someone you love might need support. Please donate if you can. You’re not just helping us—you’re helping change lives.