Following their very successful Cross Province Canoe Challengincee in 2012, when £11,770 was raised for Great Ormond Street Hospital, members of Wentworth Lodge No 737 of Wellingborough have re-run the event this year - but with a twist.
On Wednesday 17 April, ten Lodge members set off in Northampton on a challenge to canoe the 92 miles along the River Nene to The Wash.
This was in aid of the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance (WNAA). From Coventry Airport they fly a daily average of three rescue missions. The speed of the helicopter means they can fly patients to the hospital best equipped to treat their injuries, rather than to the nearest hospital which may not have specialist treatment available. Each rescue mission costs an average of £1,400. Receiving no Government or National Lottery funding they rely purely on corporate support and fundraising events to ensure the helicopter remains in the sky.
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The Team making progress |
Day 1 - Saw the team canoe the 22 miles from Northampton to Ringstead. After a quick shower and freshen up they then visited Risdene Lodge No. 6532. The four day team then returned to camp alongside the river at Blackthorne Marina.
Day 2 - Reduced to just two boats, the team made good progress, with camp at Fotheringhay. The team visited Hatton Lodge No. 3041 in the evening before returning to camp.
Day 3 - Saw the team progress all the way to where the River Nene becomes tidal, at Dog-In-A-Doublet Lock, approximately 28 miles from the sea. A welcome break from camping in a local Bed & Breakfast was well received.
Day 4 - A very early start at 04:30, in order to catch the outgoing tide. A third boat joined the team for the final day. A glorious day, when the sun rose, but initially canoeing in the dark, in temperatures of minus one, tested the spirits of all involved.
The finish line, between the two lighthouses at the mouth of the River Nene, was reached shortly after Noon. Just ten minutes after the boats were safely out of the water, the tide turned, it had been a fine run thing.
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The Team (l to r) Bros Stuart Goosey, Nick Skillett, Stuart McLester, Neil Johnson, (WBro) Rob Mallett Dan Cooke, Rob Oliver, Matthew Horton, Karl Hodgkinson & Stuart Ridd-Jones |
Team Leader, WBro Rob Mallet said
We had incredible and very generous support along the way. It was very humbling and makes carrying out these challenges so very worthwhile. The Wentworth Team would like to thank all those who supported us along the way, as well as the lodges visited along the route, whose members made us feel so very welcome.
By 13 May 2013, the Team had raised in excess of £6,000, an excellent result for such a worthwhile cause.