28 May 2019 Lakeside North Harbour announces charity of the year

Lakeside North Harbour has announced that ‘Challenge the Channel’ will be their Charity of the Year from May 2019. The initiative is the work of Paul Smith OBE – and adaptive rower who aims to raise £150,000 for cancer treatment by rowing solo across one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world

Paul set up the challenge to further the fundraising work of his close friend Marjorie Anne Walker who passed away from breast cancer in 2017.

The challenge is even more inspiring given that Paul had never sat in a boat until April 2018 and only began rowing in July 2018. He is currently is training 4 days a week in the gym and on-water, and adds in yoga to help with his limited flexibility; in 1991 he suffered life changing injuries following a serious car accident.

Karen Tyrrell, Client & Communications Manager at Lakeside North Harbour, comments: “We are delighted to support this local, inspiring project. As part of our work with Paul we have already secured £1,000 sponsorship money from Dragon Boat Events (the team behind the popular Dragon Boat Race which is held on our lake each year) and look forward to working over the coming months to raise the profile of this amazing initiative”.

Paul Smith OBE comments: “1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer at some point in their life. When I heard that ‘Challenge the Channel’ had been chosen as Lakeside North Harbour’s charity of the year I was overwhelmed and honoured. I’m excited about the many fundraising activities that are planned by the Lakeside team over the coming months!”

Challenge the Channel is set to take place on 25 May 2019 (weather permitting). To find out more about Challenge the Channel visit https://www.facebook.com/ChallengeTheChannel/