THE 2 BENS CHALLENGE
Welcome to our website!
Here you will find information about the ride, some information about us, news and what we are up to, and also a link to our just giving page where you can donate.
2 Riders
2 Weeks
2 Charities
3 Modes of Transport
From Ben Nevis to Big Ben
THE CHALLENGE WE HAVE SET OURSELVES
To travel from the highest point in Britain (the top of Ben Nevis) to sea level (the the river Thames) in only 15 days, without funding and totally self-sufficient using our feet, 2 bikes and 2 kayaks.
NEW! Photos
Click on the NEWS tab
for our progress reports
COMPLETED
SAM'S CHARITY
ROB'S CHARITY
The Sebastian Gates Action Trust
The Sebastian Gates Action Trust is a charity dedicated to the memory of Sebastian Gates who was diagnosed with Wilms Tumour in June 2001 at the age of 7.
For the next two years he endured twelve operations, a stem-cell transplant, scores of chemotherapy courses and radiotherapy; he died on Christmas Eve 2003.
Sebastians Action Trust was set up in his memory to create a holiday home for children with life-threatening or life-limiting illnesses, giving them the opportunity for a break with family and loved ones.
I was at school with Sebastian, who was in the year below, and I feel that this is the least I can do in memory of such an inspirational boy.
The Children's Trust
The Children's Trust is a national charity working with children who have multiple disabilities and complex health needs.It is based at a 24 acre site in Tadworth, Surrey and offers services to children across the UK.
The combination of services offered by The Children's Trust is unique. Every year they help hundreds of children, young people and their familiies.
Short, medium and long term residential care and therapy.
Community-based rehabilitation for children returning home after a brain injury
Short breaks
Special education for pupils with profound or multiple learing difficulties.
Sam "Sharpeshooter" Sharpe
Rob "PGL" Jones
We first came up with this challenge when Rob recommended to me that we should challenge ourselves. I put this together with the idea that I wanted to do something for charity and we decided to go all out! I am currently in Year 12 at Bradfield college studying Economics, Maths and Physics hoping to read Economics at University. One of the main things you should know about me is that I enjoy all sorts of non-typical adventurous activities. I am a sailor, a diver and I enjoy rock climbing etc. Im also a keen hockey and rugby player so some more fitness would not go a miss! I am doing this challenge for Sebastian gates Action Trust because I believe it is something that I can do to preserve the memory of such a strong boy who endured cancer but sadly lost his life. The work the charity does helps the lives not only of the children but also the families which I think is what makes it so special.
I am 17 years old and at Bradfield College in my lower sixth, studying Maths, Physics and DT to hope to go on to read Engineering at University. I chose to support the Childrens' Trust on this adventure as I knew a good friend who was disabled and would have benefited from the support of this charity. In my free time I enjoy going sailing, kayaking and simply being active or, just relaxing and listening to music or meeting up with people. I am most looking forward to the end under Tower Bridge and my biggest fear is being flattened by a bus in Glasgow! Hopefully the trip will be a journey to remember and raise money to support these two worthwhile charities!
NEWS
Thank You
Everybody who gave money (or
will do now we have finished)
Everybody who fed. watered,
funded and sheltered us on the trip.
Colin & Sue
Graham & Gill
Anna Davies
Caroline & Rob
Mums & Dads
Bradfield College
for the use of the Kayaks
Bob Jones and Cricklade
Town Council for safe storage
of the kayaks before we went
on the river.
Pangbourne College &
Radley College
for your help with the stop overs
at your boathouses
Westminster Boating Base for
our landing at the end.
LATEST NEWS - PHYSICAL CHALLENGE COMPLETED
DONATIONS TARGET IS THE NEXT CHALLENGE.
Day 15 (20th) THE FINAL DAY. The tidal thames is BIG and kayaks are small. It doesnt look that big from the bank but it idoes when you are on it. Slightly overestimated the speed of the ebb flow. Took 3 hours instead of 2 oh well after 15 days only arriving 5 minutes late for our reception doesn't seem too bad. The MPs waited. Ww started the challenge walking and we finished it walking (Security cordon on the river at Westminster). Thank you to everybody who turned up to meet us Childrens Trust and Sebastians Action Trust. We met Adam Afriyie MP for Windsor and Crispin Blunt. We were even allowed into the courtyard in the Houses of Parliament. As close as we could get to Big Ben. It was a great, wet and tiring adventure, but we think we enjoyed it. THANK YOU for your support.
Day 14 (19th) Chertsey to Teddington, Only 12 miles today a leisurely day ready for final day. No rain again. Sunny, hot. Its very different seeing the places near where you live from the river. Ariived at 2pm and loaded up the kayaks on the car (again) not safe to leave them or camp in the area so back in my own bed again. Luxury!
Day 13 (18th) Hurley to Chertsey. 25 miles A much nicer day and NO RAIN!!! Delayed start because they were late opening Hurley island. If you are Kayaking you need the Kayaks! Four applications of factor 20 today. At least the sunburm will cover up the rust.
Get to sleep at home tonight and a roast beef supper. Thanks Mum!
Day 12 (17th) Pangbourne to Hurley (campsite full) to Cookham (campsite full. Thank you to Anna's parent for letting us shelter for the night. A better day less headwind and less rain.
Day 11 (16th) Radley College to Pangbourne College. Thank you Pangbourne for letting us stay at the boathouse. Back on schedule and a good nights rest.
Day 10 (15th) Shifford Lock to Radley College boathouse. With thanks to Radley for helping us. Only showers today, but so far still rain everyday. The headwind was a nice extra touch.
Day 9 (14th) Cricklade to Shifford lock. Hmmm! All that rain and Cricklade was dry so we have now walked the Thames as well. Better when we got to the water. Not a particularly interesting part of the Thames not much to see. 20ish miles done. Less than the target so a longer paddle tomorrow to catch up.
Day 8 (13th) Iornbridge to Cricklade. Still the little black cloud follows us didn't rain all day though. Bikes have gone home this evening and the Kayaks have arrived. Had a great stay in a Chedworth. Thank you Caroiline & Rob for your hospitality.
Day 7 (12th) Urmston to Iornbridge. We thought it couldnt rain any harder. It did! It is not fun when the wheels on a bike start to aquaplane.
In a B&B for the night, a nice shower and a nice bed. Joy!
Day 6 (11th) Kirby Lonsdale to Urmston Rain Rain and more Rain. It would be nice to see the scenery not just rain. Last day on bikes tomorrow. Then the Thames, reports are water levels are low. Probably because all the rain is falling on us!
Day 5 (10th) Gretna to Kirby Lonsdale. 85 miles and we still have our little black rain cloud over us and following us down south. Conquered Shap Fell and would rather not have to do it again! Pity its not a day of rest tomorrow......
Day 4 (9th) Cumnock to Gretna the knee seems to be recovering 65 miles completed today in the rain and the wind again. Its a pity we are not going North we would have been blown there by now! Resting now another 85 mile day tomorrow wish us luck!
Day 3 (8th) Ardlui to Cumnock
A better day for the weather less windy and far less rain. A tough but good day. One twisted knee to cope with and sort out for tomorrow. Ice packed so fingers crossed.
Day 2 (7th) Glen Nevis to Ardlui
Tough day winds head on. Reported as upto 60mph. Rain, rain and more rain. 65 mile done we are on our way
Day 1 (6th) Up & Down Ben Nevis
Ben Nevis conquered on time and on schedule! The weather was awful but for about 30 seconds we were the two highest people in the UK so that's an achievement in itself! Now preparing for the start of the cycling tomorrow. We will update the website as often as possible with photos when we can. Look forward to seeing you at the end..... Keep donating!!!
Monday 5th July GREAT NEWS we have reached half of our donations target. Thank you everybody who has donated
Monday 5th July We are on our way. Driving up to Ben Nevis. This is the easy part. Tomorrow we climb Ben Nevis and start the challenge. Keep up with our progress on this page. Dont forget the charities they need your help please.
FINISHED
Please do take the time to donate. Even the smallest bit of your money will make a difference to disadvantaged children with life threatening/terminal illnesses and disabilities. By supporting us with 1 penny for every mile we travel you can make a difference (because this will equate to nearly £10 with gift aid.
Please do make a difference to these cildren by clicking the donate button below which will redirect you to our JustGiving page.Thank you.
We would also like to say a big Thank You to Evans Cycles for making this possible with such a big discount on our equipment!
Thank you to Gecko Fitness for allowing us free acess to their gym and for writing us up a free fitness plan!
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