In May 2012, Martin Lodemore will canoe the length of the River Thames – 215 miles from Thames Head in Gloucestershire to Southend-on-Sea in Essex, negotiating 46 locks and 109 bridges on the way.  You can find out all the details about this trip at the 'Tackling The Thames For Tom' website:

 www.tacklingthethamesfortom.co.uk

 

The journey will be taken in memory of Tom Lodemore, Martin’s nephew, who died in 2007 from SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in EPilepsy).  There is a real need to raise awareness of this condition, which kills three young people in the UK every day.  Epilepsy Bereaved is the only UK charity to focus solely on SUDEP.

 

Taking on the Thames will be a challenge.  It is the longest river wholly within England, at 215 miles, rising in the Cotswolds and passing through nine counties until it reaches the confluence of the North Sea and the English Channel.  The first 12 miles will be covered on foot, before taking to the canoe at Cricklade for 203 miles of navigable river, all the way to Southend-on-Sea.

 

Tom Lodemore was special to many people.  He was a serving police officer, having joined the Essex Constabulary in 2006.  A fit young man, he loved sport and ran full and half marathons for a number of charities.  Although he had suffered a few epileptic seizures, Tom was on medication and had been told that he had as much chance of suffering another seizure as any member of the public.  In the early hours of 5th January, 2007, Tom returned home following a night shift and went to bed - but later that day he could not be woken, having suffered an epileptic seizure in his sleep.  He was just 27 years old. This is SUDEP in all its glory.

Epilepsy kills around 1,000 young people in the UK each year, and around half of these are due to SUDEP - and many of these deaths are avoidable.  Epilepsy Bereaved raises awareness of the condition and helps families that have lost a loved one to it.  Find out more about the condition by visiting their website at:  www.sudep.org

 

Please give generously to help Epilepsy Bereaved make a difference.  Thank you!

 

And if you like the water, why not come and join me for a while?  There's a second seat in the canoe.  Or row along with me - you can hire rowing boats or canoes on most of the non-tidal stretch, between Oxford and Teddington.  Just get in touch about the proposed schedule, and I'd be happy to meet you somewhere on the river...