HOT NEWS: Holly and I completed the Devizes-Westminster International Canoe Marathon on Sunday 4th April 2010 in 25h 08m, beating our own target by 52 minutes. We are both in pretty good shape considering... Overall we had a good race, some tough moments during the night but some excellent support from our team and our determination to succeed kept us both going. We were both pretty emotional at the finish! 

The Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race is a canoe/kayak marathon starting in Devizes and ending at Westminster Bridge in London. The race has been held annually over the Easter Weekend since 1948. It is 125 miles long, has 77 portages and is one of the toughest endurance races in the world. 

We are still raising money for Combat Stress,  who specialise in the care of British Veterans who have been profoundly traumatised by harrowing experiences during their Service career. Many Veterans leave the Armed Forces with highly debilitating conditions such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety disorders. Their problems can remain masked for years, and they and their families may be struggling to deal with matters at home. Combat Stress provides integrated services to meet their needs. Last year alone, they received 1,257 new referrals – bringing the number of ex-Service men and women in their care to approximately 4,200 including over 300 from recent operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Two of my former Army colleagues suffered from PTSD and I am a firm believer in Combat Stress and the work that they do. Please visit their website at http://www.combatstress.org.uk and please give generously.

Thanks for visiting my JustGiving page. Donating funds through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. they send your money directly to Combat Stress and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. It’s the most efficient way to donate - we raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Best regards and thanks to you all

Mark