In July 2025 Lydia and Merri are competing in the Yukon 1000; a 1000 mile kayak race along the Yukon River from Canada to Alaska. They will need the physical and mental fortitude to paddle for 18 hours a day for up to ten days, sleeping rough, with all the supplies required to survive in true wilderness meticulously prepared and stowed in their boat. Whitewater, fallen trees, braided and poorly mapped channels are just some of the challenges they will face; one wrong turn could force them to backtrack up river in the most isolated grizzly and back bear territory in the world.

To motivate them in this endeavour, they have decided to raise money for the domestic abuse charity Solace Women’s Aid. Every three days a woman is murdered due to domestic abuse, and one in four women will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime. Solace aims to end the harm done through gender-based violence; they work to prevent violence and abuse through education, as well as providing services, including refuge, to meet the individual needs of survivors. This Youtube video outlines some of the work the charity does (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqFN1-vzL_0&t=1s).

For further information about Solace follow them on Instagram (@solacewomensaid) and visit their website at https://www.solacewomensaid.org/

To find more information about the Yukon 1000 follow the race on Instagram (@yukon1000race) and visit their website at https://www.yukon1000.org/

“Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women” – Maya Angelou

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