Mission accomplished

THE Gutless Kayaker and the rest of his team pulled into Baltic Wharf Bristol yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon dead on time with mission accomplished.

Justin Hansen had completed 420 miles, 280 locks kayaking for 32 days along the waterways of the country, starting from from Skipton on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal to Bristol at the end of the Kennet & Avon Canal, and no easy task, for due to Crohn's disease most of Justin's intestines have been removed, hence self styled the Gutless Kayaker.

He has already collected over £10,500, and with pledges still coming in he expects this to eventually reach £20,000.

World record

As no one in the team are aware of anyone anywhere ever having completed or even attempted an endurance trip of this nature while surviving on artificial nutrition, they are claiming the world record! However, the Guinness Book of Records does not cater for people with disabilities, hence not appearing in their latest edition.

The reason he did it, in his own words

"I know that kayaking 420 miles isn't everyone's cup of tea, although it was very much a challenge that had meaning for me, but I wanted to try to show that it is still possible to set and achieve personal goals, despite what may appear to be insurmountable obstacles. I would consider Gutless Kayaking 2013 a success if it has encouraged someone to re-evaluate what is important to them, to reassess what they are capable of and then go and achieve it. From conversations and communication so far I think I have achieved this."

The journey

The journey consisted of 418 miles, including the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, Aire & Calder Navigation, New Junction Canal, Sheffield & South Yorkshire Navigation, Stainforth & Keadby Canal, Tidal Trent, Trent, Soar, Leicester Section, Grand Union, Oxford Canal, Thames, Kennet & Avon Canal.

He thanks all the many people who helped it to be achieved, and to raise the money for St. Marks Hospital, and for those wanting to help http://www.bmycharity.com/Gutlesskayaking.

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