Highlighting the waterways

NO IT'S not Canal & River Trust highlighting its waterways, but a team of five paddle-boarders who are tackling the length of the Severn to get the public's interest.

The team, consisting of George Bush, Dean Broad, Rob Yates, Tristan Bawn and Tony Bain intend to paddle the length of the river, that they are expecting will take nine days, Alan Tilbury reveals.  The picture shows the type of 'craft' they will be using.

220 miles

However, this will not include the dangerous tidal section, but will end at Sharpness Lock after starting 220 miles away at its source in the Welsh mountains.

While they are coming downstream they will be advertising the importance of the river and its surroundings, starting from Saturday, 20th April. Four of the five are tackling the river, whilst George Bush is acting as their support driver.

Eight hours standing

The team expects to cover at least 25 miles a day, which means standing for around eight hours while they paddle. Their past training however was not made on the river as it was in flood, but on the canals.

They will be tackling part of the Severn not seen by boaters, such as the Jackfield Rapids, near Ironbridge.

In addition to highlighting the river, they will also be raising money for the Severn Area Rescue Association, Macmillan Cancer Support, Cancer Research UK and Parkinsons.