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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009
Posts: 2,127
Location: Thornton Cleveleys
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Hi all I wanted to post this to raise awareness of the challenge that Dr Martin Lee has set himself. Dr Martin Lee, a consultant rheumatologist, set off on Sunday 1 April 2012 from The Ahoy Centre, Deptford, South East London to undertake a 2,600 mile solo clockwise circumnavigation of the UK in his kayak, raising awareness of rheumatoid arthritis and funds for NRAS!
His challenge is to raise £100,000. Martin intends to break his journey into 100 marathons over 100 days and expects to arrive at London Bridge by 13 July 2012. His progress can be followed via a map on the NRAS website. You might also like to check out his website for more information or follow his progress on his Facebook and Twitter pages. I am sure I speak for everyone on the Forum when I say "thank you" Martin for taking on this challenge in support of all those who, like me, live with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Many thanks for your dedication and determination. Paddle safely  Lyn x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 357
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It's an amazing challenge Lyn, If any members are able to get along to cheer him on at any point of his journey I'm sure it would be greatly appreciated :) While us Brummies are probably furthest from the sea we're doing our best to support him. We have his brother and Sister in law coming along to our next NRAS group meeting to give a talk about the challenge. I've also been tweeting etc, trying to raise awareness. He's on day 4 today, and you can always see where he is on the website. Jo. 2012 Fundraising for the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS) http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/RoboJo
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009
Posts: 2,127
Location: Thornton Cleveleys
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UPDATE! Yesterday (Sunday 8th April) Martin arrived at Lepe on the South Coast of England, almost two days ahead of schedule and just one week since he set off on his circumnavigation of the UK by kayak! A journey of approximately 2,600 miles Today (Easter Monday) is a rest day and a time to treat the many blisters he has acquired on his hands and feet in the last week! Tomorrow he will paddle into Christchurch, Dorset for some fundraising activities with NRAS. To date he has raised over £12,200 for NRAS but is looking to reach his target of £100,000. Martin can be sponsored on his Virgin Money page. Martin's fantastic journey can be followed on the links on the first post. As Jo suggests if you are able to get to the coast to welcome him or wave him off on the next leg of his expedition it would be much appreciated  His schedule does vary a bit depending on weather and tidal conditions so do check his position before setting off! Keep paddling Martin, stay safe Lyn x
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009
Posts: 2,127
Location: Thornton Cleveleys
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UPDATE! Martin is now travelling up the Welsh coastline on his 2600 mile solo circumnavigation of the UK mainland. He's had some pretty bad conditions to contend with but is battling on in good spirit to stay within schedule. If you would like to sponsor Martin please visit his Virgin Money Giving page at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/martinkayaking
You can follow Martin's epic journey on his Facebook and Twitter pages. More links on the first post! Lyn x
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009
Posts: 2,127
Location: Thornton Cleveleys
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Martin has made excellent progress on his kayak journey around the UK mainland and is now several days ahead of schedule. He has now kayaked around London, Kent, E Sussex, W Sussex, Hampshire, Dorset, Devon, Cornwall, Pembrokeshire, Cardiganshire, Merioneth, Caernarfonshire, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Cheshire, Lancashire and Cumbria. Today, 12th, he heads off to Scotland! The last few days have been particularly difficult for him due to almost continuous heavy rain and cold, windy conditions. For those of you who don't access Facebook I thought you might be interested to read one of his daily blogs. Having read this you will appreciate why our support is so important in helping him maintain his good spirit throughout his travels. Thursday 10th May, posted on Facebook.
First I'll get my moaning out of the way! After 3 days of almost non-stop rain I settled down to 'sleep' last night in a soaking wet sleeping bag, in soaking wet 'dry clothes' in a soaking wet Bivy and on a sodden thermarest in near freezing temperatures. I couldn't sleep as I was so wet and cold and got up at 4am to assess the weather but it was too windy to attempt to get through the firing range before they started so I crawled back into my puddle. At 7am for the first time, stood in the wind and rain and contemplating my options with nothing dry and rain lashing down, I felt like giving up but after speaking to my friend Matt and Mike Mort from Cumbria NRAS I grew a pair, got in my kayak and paddled on. Definitely my low point so far. Also have had an infected toe for about 3 weeks and it just isn't clearing up because it is constantly damp or wet #Kayak4RA Martin's challenge to raise both awareness of Rheumatoid and funds for NRAS is inspirational. it takes a special kind of person to take on a commitment such as this with such determination. Please do support him in whatever way you are able. Lyn x
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009
Posts: 154
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Absolutely Lyn, I am so very impressed and grateful for Martin's dedication to the RA raising awareness cause. An inspiration indeed and I am with you in spirit Martin if not physically!
Bit worried about that toe though, hope it doesn't get any worse.
Please support Martin as much as you can!
Take care,
Liz
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/7/2009 Posts: 262
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Completely agree that Martin's challenge is amazing and that he must be a very special person to do this in order to try to help people like us. I too am very grateful to him. I am following his progress and as Lyn points out, he has been having a tough time.
As for it raising awareness of our disease, I feel a bit frustrated that this challenge does not appear to be getting much (any?) media coverage. When he was off the coast in my region, I contacted the local radio station with all the details but it never even got a mention on air and I didn't get a reply! I am sharing some of his updates via Facebook but many of my friends are already aware. Any ideas on how we can spread the message further afield and get Martin more support?
Diane x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 838 Location: Nottinghamshire
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Could we do some sort of fund raising on Saturday for him? Raffle, collection or something else.
I wouldn't mind bring a few things for a raffle.
Just a thought.
Paula x
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009
Posts: 2,127
Location: Thornton Cleveleys
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Hi Paula I have it in hand Paula Very clearly great minds think alike Just going to run it by Jean during "daylight hours"!! Thought a raffle would be a good idea. Will post when I've spoken to her. I so admire Martin's dedication and determination; he's one in a million Lyn x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 1,524 Location: W. Yorkshire
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A bit more in the kitty. YES I'VE CHANGED, PAIN DOES THAT TO PEOPLE.
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 838 Location: Nottinghamshire
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Hello Lynn Not too sure that I've got a great mind, but nice to think that you think I have. I've had a rummage in my loft and found a few things and daughter who's just moved in with her boyfriend told me she's got some things from her old house for charity, not sure what they are but if we are having a raffle will ask. I just think that if he is prepared to do all of this for us, we should do our best to help him achieve his target. Also wonder if the Hilton might let us do a bit of net working while we are there among the other quests. Sell a few raffle tickets just before the draw and help to raise the awareness of what RA really is. Because we don't look ill you know!!!!! Perhaps a few leaflets about it might help. Again, just a thought. Paula x
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