Local veterans take part in world-first kayak challenge
£100,000 has been raised for the Armed Forces Para-Snowsport Team
Two local injured veterans have joined three others in become the first adaptive team to kayak from Land’s End to John O’Groats.
The team of five, who all have life-changing injuries, took just 26 days to complete their challenge in aid of the Armed Forces Para-Snowsport Team (AFPST).
They've have raised £100,000 for the charity which supports the recovery of wounded, injured and sick military personnel.
They paddled a total of 1,400km – hitting speeds of up to 24km per hour, with their longest day seeing them cover 95km.
The team comprised of Darren Edwards from Shropshire, Luke Wigman from Nottinghamshire, Jonny Huntington from Devon, Carl Simmons from Worcestershire, and Ben Gallagher from Herefordshire.
Carl Simmons said: "It's been an experience I'll never forget.
"The fact that we've achieved what we set out to do as in paddle from one end of the country to the other and the fact that we've raised so much money for the charity.
"And also the fact we got to see some incredible wildlife especially when we were up near Scotland."
Ben Gallagher said: "It feels amazing to have completed it. I'm not sure I'll get in a kayak and paddle from John O'Groats to Land's End again though.
"But to come together as a team and complete that is phenomenal.
"And of course raising so much money for the charity is incredible as that's what brought us all together in the first place."
The fund-raiser is still open for donations, and can be found at: www.justgiving.com/kayak4heroes
For more in information about the Armed Forces Para-Snowsport Team visit their website.