Friends take on canal canoe challenge for cancer charity

Paul McDonald, 28 from Skipton, and Lawrence Wilson, 28 from Liverpool, aim to complete the 127-mile challenge through 91 locks along Britain’s longest canal in a journey that will take six days to complete.

The pair are raising money for the North West Cancer Research Fund. They aim to raise just over £2,000 for the charity, which provides grants to support fundamental research in the North West of England and Wales, into the causes of cancer.

Mr McDonald said: “It goes without saying that everyone knows somebody who has been touched or affected by cancer, and one in three of us will develop some sort of cancer in our lifetime.

“It is important to us that we raise both funds and awareness about the charity that is extremely close to both of our hearts.”

The friends hope to complete the challenge on Friday, April 29, six days after setting off from Leeds, averaging around 20 to 25 miles a day.

Mr McDonald added: “We decided to embark on the challenge as it’s a bit of an adventure and ever since I can remember I have always loved being on the water.”

“It’s going to be difficult, especially negotiating the locks ourselves, but we are determined to complete the challenge and raise our target of £2,000.”

He added: “We are extremely grateful to everyone who has kindly lent or donated equipment to us, particularly the First Weaverham Sea Scouts who have given us the most vital part – the canoe.

“However, we are still a long way off our target and are asking people to please dig deep and sponsor us online through our Just Giving page which is really simple and totally secure.

“The North West Cancer Research Fund will receive the money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28 per cent in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.”

To support the pair visit http://www.justgiving.com/maccastolozsinacanoe

The North West Cancer Research Fund provides grants to support fundamental research in the North-West and North and Mid-Wales into the causes of cancer.