Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page, and thank you to those who supported my previous challenges to raise money for Diabetes UK.

2018: 23 miles stand up paddling across the English Channel

2019: 57 miles stand up paddling across Scotland between Fort William and Inverness

2020: 50 miles stand up paddling along the Ohio River

2021: 100 miles stand up paddling on all the lakes of the English Lake District where I had permission (13 of 17)

2022: 220 miles stand up paddling across England from Portishead Pier to Southend on Sea Pier.

In May 2023, I'll be attempting to stand up paddle across the Irish Sea from the Isle of Man to the Cumbrian coast. My target will be to land on the beach at Seascale, which is the village I grew up in and where my love for watersports started with windsurfing, sailing, kayaking and rowing as a youth. I looked out towards the Isle of Man almost every day, but have never been there. This crossing is similar to the first challenge I completed to cross the English Channel, but is about twice as far. The straight line distance is 36 miles, but with currents and wind, I can expect to paddle in excess of 40 miles, which requires significant training and planning.

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, including several friends and family members who are living with diabetes.

Thank you for your donation on the occasion of this challenge. The distance and potential conditions on the Irish Sea make this a special challenge and I appreciate your support for a worthy cause.

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