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The Challenge ... in brief... 4 kayaks, 4 paddlers, 300miles of coastline (approx), 1 land support crew, 2 weeks...

Who... Chris Brown-Martin, Matt Retter,  Chris Lake & Steve Carter.

When... August 2013 - aiming to finish in Exeter at the Quay on Bank Holiday Sunday (25th August)

Why... again, in brief, to support 4 charities - Devon Air Ambulance Trust, Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust, Surf Life Saving GB and Alpha1 Awareness UK.

Written in brief like that it sounds easy doesn't it? But ‘easy’ is definitely not the word!  They will face 2 weeks of navigating tides, rip currents, rocks, other boats, sharks (I kid you not - basking sharks have  been spotted this year!), dolphins, weather (who knows what 2013 summer holds for us?!).....  2 week holiday? No!

In 2011 Chris organized a successful river kayak event, Matt taking part, (with a sponsored cycle running on Terra firma along side) from Hatherleigh to Bideford, with a total of £4000 being raised.  This event was in support of the Devon Air Ambulance Trust (DAAT), Alpha 1 Awareness and Cancer Research.  And in the recipients of money raised is a link into one of the main reasons for these challenges.

Chris would be the first to say that life is for living and he always lives life to the full, and more often than not, doing so at a fast and furious pace! Yet in 2008 a devastating fire changed things for Chris and he either had to make changes in his own life or face worsening health, and potential disability.  The George Hotel burning to the ground 'saved' his life.  Having always thought he was asthmatic the smoke inhalation caused more problems than expected, and a subsequent blood test confirmed that Chris has Alpha1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, a genetic condition potentially causing lung and liver conditions.  A chest X-ray showed up the start of emphysemic changes.

So, at the age of 26 Chris was faced with life changing news – he was almost certainly facing deteriorating lung and liver function, disability and, potentially, premature death.  So Chris chose life!  Taking on board the diagnosis, which cannot be cured, he now looks after his health, his lungs, his liver, and at the same time is still able to enjoy life to the full - and still fast and furious at times!!

Life is still for living.  And, as the fire 'saved' Chris's life, he wants to help save others – this year for the 4 charities mentioned, which he feels are all vital to our local community here in Devon and Cornwall.

Matt loves any sport, any challenge, and as a friend of Chris is joining him in this charity challenge.

For Chris Lake this is a challenge he has really wanted to be a part for some time, for many years Chris was an Outdoor Pursuits instructor, with Kayaking being his preferred activity (reaching 4 star level in both river and sea). Unfortunately this career was ended early in 2002 after a car crash left him with muscle damage to the lower & middle part of his back, being sat in a kayak for more than 20 minutes would cause a huge amount of discomfort.

And Steve loves adventure but has spent the last decade raising young children so has had limited adventures!  He now feels with the children being older there is more time available.  And feels that at 41 he wants to spend time pushing his limits on this beautiful earth whilst giving something back. 

So Chris L and Steve are very excited to have joined the team and look forward supporting Chris BM & Matt, raising plenty of money for the chosen charities and completing very personal goals.

 With this challenge being much bigger than 2011’s we desperately need help!  Not only do Chris, Matt, Chris and Steve need sponsoring to complete the challenge for their chosen charities, they also need sponsorship to help fund the challenge itself.

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