A team of four adventurers will be braving the elements on the water this weekend – to launch a record twist on an iconic British journey.

Team Beeline Britain are Tori James, who aged 25 became the youngest British woman and the first Welsh woman to climb to the summit of Mount Everest; Paralympian Nick Beighton, a Captain in the Royal Engineers from Shrewsbury who lost both his legs above the knee when he was struck by an IED explosion on duty in Afghanistan in 2009; Adam Harmer, a senior lecturer at Liverpool John Moores University and professional outdoor instructor at the UK’s National Mountain Centre, Plas-y-Brenin, and RAF helicopter crewman, Ian O’Grady.

This summer, they will attempt to navigate Land’s End to John O’Groats “in a straight line”, a challenge never before attempted and involving 16+ days across some of the most extreme coastal, mountain and urban environments in the UK.

Beeline Britain will involve an ambitious 100 hours in a kayak, 34 hours on a bike and more than 12 hours on foot, covering around 1100 km and taking in St David’s Head, Holyhead, Isle of Man, Burrow Head, central Glasgow, Cairngorm Summit, Lossiemouth and Wick.

The challenge in May is being supported by The Endeavour Fund (created by The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry), and will raise money for Blesma, the charity for limbless servicemen and women and their families.

On Saturday, the team will prepare for their journey with a continuous day-long kayak, spending as long as possible in their boats in wet and windy weather conditions.

The poor weather has meant they had to abandon plans to kayak for 24 hours on Lake Windermere, so instead they will set off in two double kayaks to find more sheltered water on the Lancaster Canal, near the Lake District.

Tori, aged 32, originally from Clarbeston Road in Pembrokeshire, now living in Cardiff, said: “Because the weather is so horrendous, there’s no way we can get out to sea and it’s critical for us to spend time in our kayaks.

“We’d planned to spend 24 hours on Lake Windermere, but the weather has made it impossible, which is disappointing but we’re determined to practice whatever the weather.

“We still plan to stay in our kayaks for 24 hours, and we have a jet boil so we can boil water for soup and noodles but other than that, we won’t be actually be getting out of our kayaks.”

She added: “This forms part of an intensive training programme taking us up to the big event.

“Saturday is mainly a test for our bottoms – sitting in a tiny boat for all that time – but one of the biggest challenges for me will be the sleep deprivation. I know at some point my eyes are going to begin to shut, it’s going to be really difficult but if we can do this, we have some chance of completing this huge challenge in May. We’re all lucky in that our partners are coming along to support us this weekend. It’s not going to be the most romantic Valentines weekend but at least it will be a memorable one!”

To donate, text Line59 and £1 or your chosen amount, to 70070.

To follow the journey, go to www.beelinebritain.com

 

NOTES TO EDITORS

The Endeavour Fund: The Endeavour Fund was created by The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry to support sporting and adventurous challenges conducted by wounded, injured or sick service personnel and veterans. The fund aims to promote these activities as part of a recovery pathway and to amplify the actions of these incredible people in order to inspire others to challenge their perceptions of what is truly possible. www.endeavourfund.co.uk @endeavourfund www.royalfoundation.com

 

Blesma, The Limbless Veterans is the national charity for all limbless service men and women, their widows and dependants. It was formed in the years following the First World War and became a national charity in 1932. Today the charity directly supports over 4000 Members. The aim of the charity is to provide support and empowerment to our injured service men and women helping them live fulfilling and empowered lives. We believe in life after injury. Find out more at www.blesma.org  or visit us on www.facebook.com/BLESMA & www.twitter.com/BLESMA 

 

Nick Beighton, 32, is from Shrewsbury and represented Great Britain in the London 2012 Paralympic Games in the Trunk and Arms Mixed Double Scull; Adam Harmer, 33, lives in Gwynedd and is senior lecturer in Outdoor Education at Liverpool John Moores University (Adam previously won the Yukon 1000, billed as the world’s toughest kayak race); Ian O’Grady, 37, created the Beeline Britain concept. He is originally from Oswestry, Shropshire and lives in Oxfordshire and has been in the RAF for seven years. He is currently flying Merlin helicopters on 78 Sqn, in the UK and abroad.

 

Media enquiries to Katie Brandon at Golley Slater on 02920 786042 or kbrandon@golleyslater.co.uk

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