A former soldier from Burnham-On-Sea plans to paddle in a BATH TUB for 17 miles along the River Avon to raise money for a military charity close to his heart.
Rob Lawrence, who served in Iraq, is taking on the unique 24-hour challenge in a buoyant bath tub to help Scotty’s Little Soldiers, a military charity that supports bereaved British Forces children.
Burnham-On-Sea.com caught up with him practising on the Huntspill River over the weekend, as pictured here.
Rob told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “For some time now I’ve wanted to raise money for Scotty’s Little Soldiers, a military charity to help bereaved British Forces children. So I set myself the challenge of paddling a bath tub along the River Avon for 24 hours solid, with no sleep until it’s done, in order to raise money for the charity.”
“The distance will be 17 miles from Bath to Bristol, and it will be held on May 17th-18th. It will be far from easy, especially the sections at night and the poor flow on the Avon and long straight stretches that feel like they never end.”
“I will stop to use the toilet here and there but otherwise will keep going and eat on the move. If I reach Bristol Docks before the 24 hours is up, then I will head back up river and then back again to make up more distance and time.”
“I have my best mate with me to support me from his kayak for safety on the trip. Even 24 hours in a kayak through night time stretches will be just as tough for him!”
“From practise runs, it’s going to be one of the hardest things I have ever done. The bathtub isn’t streamlined in any way, and fairly heavy for paddling, it grinds to a halt when you stop paddling, so it’s going to be hard work. But when I say I’ll complete something then I will. I’m used to kayaking, but nothing like this!”
“This is important to me, I served with Lee Scott aka ‘Scotty’ in Iraq and operated as his tank driver, so have always wanted to do something to show my support for the charity. The work that has been done with the charity in his honour is incredible.”
Rob, who lives in Berrow, is practising locally on the Huntspill River over the next few weeks in preparation. He has a fundraising Just Giving page here.
He has modified his own bath tub with drain pipes to give it buoyancy and has also fitted a plastic gym seat for comfort!
