In 2018 I raised money for Diabetes UK by paddling 23 miles across the English Channel. In 2019 I paddled 57 miles, as a participant in the Great Glen race across Scotland between Fort William and Inverness. In 2020 I paddled 50 miles along the Ohio River. This year, I will complete my original challenge for 2020 (before Covid 19 restrictions hit!) and take the challenge closer to my roots (I grew up on the west coast of Cumbria, in Seascale), by paddling over 100 miles on all the lakes of the English Lake District where I have permission (13 of 17 lakes). This one is taking the physical and logistical challenge to the next level!

As last year, I've scheduled the challenge around mid-summers day (the exact date is tbd), to benefit from maximum daylight hours. Hopefully, the current UK timeline on relaxing Covid 19 restrictions will stick and this time will hold.

Diabetes UK funds pioneering, world-class research into all forms of diabetes and its complications. The results of this research can improve the lives of people with diabetes all over the globe. 

More importantly to me, it's a great organization which has helped and supported my niece Megan over the years. Megan is amazing and has type 1 diabetes. As a teenager, she went to a Diabetes UK youth group and spent several weekends away at residential outdoor activity centres with other young people with diabetes. She has also used their helpline to get medical advice to help her control her blood sugars. And research sponsored by Diabetes UK, helped to develop new insulin pumps that have made Megan's daily experience better. There is even more amazing research underway including trying to develop a closed loop control system which would act as an artificial pancreas. Very cool!

Thank you for your donation on the occasion of this latest challenge. 100 miles is by far the furthest I'll have paddled and I appreciate all the support.