Dodging discarded supermarket trolleys was just one of the challenges facing brothers George and Tom Bentham on their coast-to-coast canoe challenge.
The pair counted 23 shopping trolleys on their 195-mile paddle in memory of their late father Mark.
They had to carry their canoe twice around large sections of drained canal under repair.
Tom (left) and George Bentham by the Humber Bridge, the finish line of their canoe adventure.
The brothers have raised £5,279 for East Cheshire Hospice from their nine-day adventure and a similar amount for Macmillan.
Both charities cared for Mark, from Broken Cross, who died of cancer in September 2019, aged 58.
The route went from near Lancaster to Preston, Manchester and into Yorkshire before ending under the Humber Bridge.
Tom said: “It wasn’t quite what we expected. We thought we’d suffer more from physical fatigue, but thankfully our training prepared us well.
Canoeists Tom (left) and George Bentham by an old canal lock gate in Lancashire.
“It was amazing to see how much the country changes. We saw kingfishers and counted herons, then through Manchester into Rochdale counted shopping trolleys.
“It was a relief to finish, but also sad. We flew towards the Humber Bridge with the tide, until it turned near the finish, which was our final challenge.
“We paddled 10-12 hours a day, with our legs, knees, backs and shoulders taking the strain.
“It was an emotional journey, and we want to thank our great sponsors and everyone else who helped us along the way, raising and donating money.
“That includes those en route who shared a story, or the change from their pockets.”
* To donate visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/cacec.
The brothers will be sharing their story at the Hospice’s Winter Ball at Macclesfield Rugby Club on Friday, November 25.
Back to all newsThank you so much for choosing to support East Cheshire Hospice. You may never know how much your gift means, but we know that it will make the world of difference to our patients and their families.
