Graham Cooke

Update: I did it in 25hours and 27 minutes!

Total collected (including this page) approximately £1500 !!!

I started off at 09:26 on Saturday morning and soon came to Marple locks. Tom was there to refuel me and check that all was OK. Then I paddled on into Manchester and portaged the boat along canal street where Louise and the family were a welcome sight with food and drink. Later in the afternoon I met up with a bunch of WASC kids and we had our picture taken with the boat. Dave, Charlie and Jake (very good paddlers from Warrington) came our and escorted me though the section from Lymm to Grappenhall - much needed moral support. Towards Preston Brook Graham came out and ensured that I kept my pace up! Meeting Bill for more food the tunnel top was welcome before the night section. Paddling at night through the Middlewich locks was hard, it seemed they would never end. The image of the kids earlier in the day kept me going - I knew, for their sake, I must finish.... more

Update: I did it in 25hours and 27 minutes!

Total collected (including this page) approximately £1500 !!!

I started off at 09:26 on Saturday morning and soon came to Marple locks. Tom was there to refuel me and check that all was OK. Then I paddled on into Manchester and portaged the boat along canal street where Louise and the family were a welcome sight with food and drink. Later in the afternoon I met up with a bunch of WASC kids and we had our picture taken with the boat. Dave, Charlie and Jake (very good paddlers from Warrington) came our and escorted me though the section from Lymm to Grappenhall - much needed moral support. Towards Preston Brook Graham came out and ensured that I kept my pace up! Meeting Bill for more food the tunnel top was welcome before the night section. Paddling at night through the Middlewich locks was hard, it seemed they would never end. The image of the kids earlier in the day kept me going - I knew, for their sake, I must finish. At 5am on Sunday I was at Kidsgrove (North of Stoke on Trent) and turned North. Once past Bosely Locks it was a long slog back to Macclesfield at almost 11am. I was exhausted. From about half way I had used up my energy reserves and was eating sugary things just to keep going! I had more blister than skin on my hands and feet and couldn't believe that I had been going for so long. 25 and a half hours is a long time to do anything continuously so it is no surprise that I no have a bit of a repetitive strain injury of a tendon in my right hand. I estimate that I paddled around 60,000 strokes and maybe carried the 12kg kayak (plus some water and food)around 10 miles.

The Challenge (this was the original text before I started paddling!) My son George has profound learning difficulties and benefits hugely from the playschemes and clubs run by WASC in Warrington. The dedicated staff provide a range of activities suitable for all the children. George only knows one word "excited" and uses this when he knows he going to the Saturday club or playschemes.

I like a challenge and am attempting to paddle the Cheshire Ring Race in 2010. This race, run by Macclesfield and District Canoe Club ( http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/cheshireringrace/ ) takes place on 26th and 27th June. The aim is to paddle the 96 miles in under 24 hours, carrying (portaging) the kayak over three tunnels and around the locks and other features. Starting In Macclesfield and heading north the route follows the Cheshire Canal Ring (normally cruised by narrowboat over a week) through Manchester then west to Warrington and Preston Brook before turning south and passing near to Anderton boat lift then onwards to Stoke. Finally, the last northwards stage brings one back to Macclesfield. The race is continuous, paddling through the night.

I have never done anything this far or mad before and there is no certainty I will finish! Luckily I have some great support from WASC who will bring me food and water along the route. I estimate that I will burn over 10,000 calories - equivalent to almost 60 creme eggs, although and my attempt will be fueled by flapjack and jellybabies.

Please give to this great cause and give more children like George the extra enrichment in their lives that WASC provides.