We are 2 seventeen year olds from Dauntsey’s School, namely Finn Smith and Josh Mallinson, and we are taking on the challenge of the Devizes to Westminster Canoe Race over the course of 4 days this Easter weekend. It is the biggest canoe race in the world and is a gruelling 125 miles with 77 portages (when you have to carry the kayak around the locks on the canal/river)

We will be part of a huge international race with hundreds of competitors who have been training relentlessly to complete this challenge. By attempting to do this outside of school, it has required a huge committment from us in both time and effort involving frequent very cold and wet late night training sessions in the dark !

We are keen to take this opportunity to raise money for those in dire need of help and we are supporting ‘Start With One - Kenya’. This is a superb charity which provides the poorest areas of places in Kenya (amongst many other countries) with clean water filtration systems, education and improved health care.

During our 4 day race we will have to be hand-fed by our (marvellous and valued!) support crews due to the contaminated canal water in which we will be paddling (which needless to say we have fallen in a lot during training!) Unfortunately, the canal water quality compares well with the water that those Kenyan families are actually having to drink daily.

We all need to try and make a difference to their health. 

Any support given will be enormously appreciated

Finn & Josh x

( this is a link to the charity in case you are interested startwithonekenya.org )