Canoeist to tackle the Avon Ring

A CANOEIST is to tackle the Avon Ring to raise funds for the Canal & River Trust and Cancer Research.

Darren Parkin will start on his 108 miles challenge tomorrow, Friday, starting from his home town of Stratford along the Avon to Tewkesbury, Roger Fox reports.

First to do so

Should he complete the challenge he will be the first to do so, carrying on upstream on the Seven to the outskirts of Birmingham and back down to Stratford.

He intends to complete the ring in just four days, carrying his canoe around the 131 locks that he will encounter on his way.

He tells that he plans to tackle the 108 miles route to raise funds for two charities dear to his heart—the Canal & River Trust and Cancer Research UK, adding:

Never attempted

“As a family we enjoy day paddles on the river, and my wife and I took the canoe along the Wye for a few days, but I have never attempted this sort of distance as a solo canoeist, with so many obstacles to overcome.

“It is going to be a backbreaking, gruelling and epic challenge. I’m sure there will be blood, sweat and tears."