SUNSEEKER EMPLOYEES ORGANISE 24 HOUR KAYAK CHALLENGE AND RAISE 6000 FOR COLLEAGUE
Forty-two people took part in a 24-hour canoe/kayak challenge around Brownsea Island in Poole, Dorset recently to raise more than £6000 for the family of Sunseeker International employee Kev Baker, who announced to colleagues last month that he is battling an incurable brain tumour.
The round-the-clock fundraising event was organised by Sunseeker International employees Steve Godfrey and Darrin Gale, who are great friends of Kev and who have worked with him for many years in the shipyard 3 department at the Poole-based company. It is hoped that the money raised will help towards the laser treatment that Kev has now begun in an attempt to reduce the speed of the tumour's growth.
The event took place on September 25th from 6pm, and those participating either canoed or kayaked the 7.98 kilometres from the starting point of North Haven Yacht Club, based in Sandbanks and then around Brownsea, a peaceful island of woodland, in Poole Harbour. All participants completed the route at least once and many completed several laps. Scott Rowland, a good friend of Kev Baker, managed a total of seven laps, covering a total of 55.86 kilometres.
One lap of the island was expected to take anything from 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on the experience and the size of group, but the best time achieved, by 2 groups, was 1 hour 20 minutes.
Additional activities during the event, held to raise further funds, included the sale of refreshments and a competition to win a family ticket to a Christmas pantomime which was kindly donated by the Sunseeker Social Club. Entrants had to estimate the total distance covered by all participants during the event, and the prize was won by Sam Piesley who correctly guessed the distance of xx kilometres.
Event organiser Steve Godfrey said, "The weather was perfect and the sea conditions could not have been any better. Everybody had a great fun day and showed their full support. The amount of money we have raised has exceeded all expectations and we were delighted to attract the interest of local newspapers and TV which helped to raise further awareness."
He continues, "The event was a great success and thanks must go to all the people who took part as well as to those who helped with the lending of lifejackets, kayaks/canoes, a safety boat, and night light. North Haven Yacht Club also generously provided us with a venue for which we are very grateful."
Steve and Darrin are now considering plans for another fundraising event to be held next summer.
