Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

My only sister died just under 2 years ago following a 9 year battle with breast cancer.

She never let it affect her life and continued with her life and Church work until the end when all her family was with her.

Her last weeks were spent in the Marie Curie hospice in Edinburgh where she was cared for with consideration and compassion and this led me to think about I could say thank you and give something back.

You who know me will realise why my thoughts turned to kayaking and undertaking a potentially challenging paddle. I couldn't just ask folk to donate money in these times without putting in some effort and so I had thought to paddle the Irish Sea at the end of the season and had posted this on the Belfast Kayak Club site for the end of September.

HOWEVER! Circumstances, my friend Desi Law, a group of Dublin taxi drivers and circumstances decreed otherwise.

I was paddling with Desi on 28th August and he suggested that we escort the above taxi drivers who were to paddle the Channel to raise money for their own special needs childrens' charity the next day out to the Copelands then turn back. Sounded like a good paddle so I agreed. Desi was to text details!!

The following morning at 06 10 the phone rang. "They're leaving Donaghadee at 7"

"Go away" was the reply, "I can't have the boat loaded, be there and on the water in 50 minutes!"

07 50 The phone rang again. "They'releaving at 09 00." That was manageable. Just. Boat on, kit sorted and a small picnic for elevenses on Mew Island.

Anyway on water with Desi and Philip Leith by 9 o'clock and we all grouped up just outside the harbour, the three of us as escort and the 8 taxi drivers and Mick O'Meara from Seapaddling.com for safety.

09 37 Neill (the taxi drivers'leader) yelled "Go" and we were off.

About 20 minutes later with us about 2 miles South of the Copelands, it was time for us to leave and go to Mew for a picnic.

The escort boat told me that the others had left and the group, knowing that I had planned this challenge for myself, asked me if I would like to continue the whole way with them. What an opportunity!!

So on I went and with a few short breaks (about 2 or 3 minutes per hour for fluids and sustenance), we hit Scotland in 5 hours and 25 minutes.

A good time as the drivers were on sit on tops. Mick and I were in sea kayaks and for those who know me, yep I did sprint the last bit but waited just outside for us all to enter the harbour together.

Well I just couldn't help it. 

It was so good to look back at Ireland and see where we had come from and consider what a trip to the Copelands had turned in to.

This is not for me but for my sis and above all for Marie Curie. If you can donate anything no matter how small please do so.

If you can't then thanks for reading this and for your thoughts.

Thank you,

Robert M

I rang Marie Curie and asked for the best way to co-ordinate donations and they suggested this page.

Pics etc. will follow from the Dublin group as this started out as a routine paddle and I didn't even have my camera!!

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