Paddling to save dolphins!

24 August 2009

Fundraising walk and paddleboard along the Cornish coast

Gareth Logan and Will Brawn, from Polzeath, are passionate about Cornwall's marine life and have decided to take action to do something to help it. They will be walking and paddleboarding from Polzeath to Lands End at the beginning of September in a bid to raise money for Cornwall Wildlife Trust's Marine Strandings Network. The boys are hoping the people of Cornwall will help them reach their £1000 target by sponsoring them at www.justgiving.com/savecornwallsdolphins.

Will says: "Being a surfer, I spend a lot of time in the sea, and feel an attachment to the coastline. I've come to realise how fragile an environment it is, that really needs looking after. My friend Gareth and I wanted to combine our love of the sea, whilst helping it out at the same time. So this paddle seemed like perfect way to do that. Cornwall Wildlife Trust's Marine Strandings Network does great work in helping our dolphins and other cetaceans, which we both really care about, so we thought it was a great charity to support."

The boys hope to have a suitable weather window between the 1st and 14th September when their walk and paddleboard challenge will take place. They already have sponsorship from Mountain Warehouse, Nineplus, Cornish Rock Tors and Wave Hunters and the use of a very special paddle board from Surf's Up Surf School. Will will be using the same board as that used by James Cracknell in his cross Channel paddle with Surfs Up's Pete Craske in 2005.

Will says "At least I know the board's been given a proper test run in similar conditions! So I feel confident my equipment will stand me in good stead, now it's just down to my endurance and experience in the sea."

As well as completing the physical challenge they intend to play several gigs with their band, Droptone, along the way where they hope to generate more fundraising opportunities, including prize draws. Dates confirmed include The Tubestation, Polzeath on Monday 31st of August to kick the event off and the Old Albion Inn, Crantock, on Thursday 3rd of September. There will be more dates to follow. Everyone is invited to come along and support them at these events and help their fundraising efforts.

Ruth Williams, Marine Conservation Officer for the Trust says, "The information collected by the Marine Strandings Network and through the post mortem examinations is incredibly important for improving our understanding of the biology and ecology of our dolphin species, the threats they face and how we can reduce these."

Ruth continues, "It is brilliant that these two young men want to undertake such a big challenge with the sole aim of raising money to help the Trust's Marine Strandings Network. We wish them well and will be closely following their progress along the coast, maybe they'll be lucky enough to encounter dolphins along the route!"

If you'd like to sponsor Will and Gareth and help them reach their £1000 target please go to www.justgiving.com/savecornwallsdolphins. All proceeds will be donated to Cornwall Wildlife Trust's Marine Strandings Network. For more information about the challenge call Gareth on 07980 018959.

Gareth also says:

"Hello Everyone!!

I'm sure your already aware of the fantastic job these 100 volunteers and all of Cornwall Wildlife Trust do in the way of educating the public and fishermen on our local marine wildlife amongst other things.

During our adventure we are going to be playing a couple of gigs. One in Carters , Polzeath and the other in Crantock, The old Albion Inn. They are also going to be raffle give-aways! We just wanted to know if anyone knew any other pubs or venues along the coast line that would like us hold an event at. We have a couple of bands that will be able to play and enough stuff for another couple of raffles.

Everything is going great so far and we would love to thank our sponsors for their help. Mountain Warehouse and Cornish Rock Tors are two of the main businesses helping out. I think it would be great if we could advertise our event on the radio and hopefully this weeks Cornish Guardian and other local newspapers.

We set off from Polzeath on the 1st of September. Here's some dates of where we should be by mid afternoon in case anyone wants to meet up, subject to slight change:

28th August - Gig in Carters Polzeath
1st September - Polzeath to Harlyn
2nd - Porthcothan
3rd - Watergate - Gig in Crantock
4th - Crantock
5th - Perranporth/St Agnes
6th - Portreath
7th - Gwithian/St Ives
8th - Zennor
9th - Porthmeor
10th - St Just
11th - Sennen/Lands End

If anyone is interested in our idea and wants to help out, meet up or have any feedback please contact me on 07980 018959 or email me at logangareth@hotmail.com. We already have various cool pictures that papers/magazines could use that would advertise the event well.

Thanks a lot!!"

Gareth Logan