BEATING EUPD: 221 MILES, ZERO EXPERIENCE, ONE CHANCE

On December 1st, 2025, I'm kayaking the entire River Severn - Britain's longest river at 221 miles - with absolutely zero kayaking experience. Completely alone. Cameras rolling.

WHY AM I DOING THIS?

I'm Kirk, a former international paramedico and UK medically trained practitioner. For the last 12 months, I've been housebound with EUPD (Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder). I've left the house only a handful of times, never alone - always with my wife beside me.

I spent years helping people in disasters and humanitarian crises around the world. Then my own mind trapped me inside my home.

When you have a broken arm, the world can see it. But when your head's broken, no one pays attention. And a proud man like me feels like you can never talk.

This expedition terrifies me. But I'm doing it anyway.

THE WAKE-UP CALL

Losing my sister Gemma on 5th July 2024 hit hard. She battled invisible illness for years. My EUPD stopped me from visiting her. I never got to say "I love you" or "I'm sorry." She left behind two young daughters with special needs.

That loss made me realise: I need to beat this. Not just for me, but to be well enough to show up for the people I love.

THE CHALLENGE

- 221 miles from source to sea

- Sleeping rough on riverbanks

- No support crew, no safety net

- Just me, a kayak I've never paddled, and a promise to document every raw moment

- First time facing the world completely alone in over a year

This is my fight back. My proof that EUPD doesn't win. My chance to show that recovery is possible.

Every pound raised goes to Mind UK - because mental health support saves lives.

FOLLOW THE JOURNEY:

📹 YouTube: Kayaking The Severn (5000+ already subscribed!)

🚣‍♂️ Live GPS tracking during December 2025

💚 Raising £5,000 for Mind UK

Thank you for backing my fight. For believing that broken doesn't mean beaten.

- Kirk