£20,000 raised by charity canoeists

Organised by members of Yapton Free Church, this was a new experience for many of these amateur paddlers before starting their training back in March.

The 32km course from Littlehampton to Stopham Bridge up river from Pulborough was the first challenge in a two-day triathlon that also took in a cycle ride and walk across the South Downs Country Park involving a further 75 fundraisers.

“The weekend has been a great success,” said Hugo van Driel, the leader at Yapton Free Church at a finale barbecue held at Gaston Farm, Slindon after the walk.

“We have had all ages taking part in all three events and hope to have raised more than £20,000 which will be shared between two local charities, The 6-Villages Nepal Orphanage Fund and the Christian Enterprises Sailing Centre in Chichester Harbour.”

Jackie Taylor, from Yapton, was one to have never been in a canoe before taking this challenge.

She overcame her aversion for getting wet to complete the 32km paddle with her husband Mark without falling in the river.

“It was fantastic, I really enjoyed the whole experience.”

For local yachting correspondent Barry Pickthall, the canoe challenge proved quite an eye-opener.

“I’ve lived in this area most of my life but never navigated further up the river than Houghton before,” he said.

“From Arundel onwards, the River Arun is a wonderful local resource when the tide is up that is badly under utilised.

“I was surprised by the profusion of wildlife we saw and the large number of fish we spotted either idling in the stream of jumping out in front of us.

“If the river, which is the second fastest flowing in the country, had a lock to control the water, the county would have a valuable recreational facility that everyone could enjoy.”

The money raised from the Arun Canoe Challenge will be split between the 6-Villages Nepal Orphanage Fund and the Christian Enterprises Sailing Centre in Chichester Harbour which supplied the boats and training facilities.

The Sailing Centre needs to raise £200,000 to complete a new floating accommodation vessel for its base at Cobnor.

The 6-Villages Nepal Orphanage Fund is supported by schools and families from Barnham, Climping, Eastergate, Slindon, Walberton and Yapton and pays for the schooling and upbringing of 35 abandoned Nepalese children at an orphanage outside Katmandu.

“I’m certainly up for doing something like this again,” said a jubilant Jackie Taylor at the finish, adding, “The only thing I would be averse to is a parachute jump.”

It is not too late to support the 2010 River Arun Canoe Challenge. Just go to www.yaptonfreechurch.net/nepal2010