Solo Beeline Britain
This was the first time that anyone had attempted to travel from Lands’ End to John O’Groats in a straight line; solo. This challenge required me to get myself and everything I need from Cornwall to Caithness in a straight a line without putting myself in danger.
Any kind donations that you can offer will be gratefully received by all the fantastic organisations that I am supporting, as they supported me.
690km Kayak
410km Walk
15km Swim
About The Challenge
This challenge required me to get myself to and from Cornwall to Caithness in as straight a line as possible, without putting myself in danger. I will carry all of my equipment myself for the whole length of the journey. I can drop equipment but can’t collect new items (less food and water). The only help I can get is in the terms of emergency/safety help and the odd biscuit or cup of tea along the way. As you can imagine, it’s not going to be easy. Due to not being able to call on a support team, I’ve planned this route to use nature as much as possible. The tide and the weather are still very unpredictable.
Using a kayak, I’ll follow the Cornish coast from Lands’ End up to Lundy. Crossing the Bristol Channel from there I’ll work up the Welsh coastline, before an epic 75km paddle to the Isle of Man. Once clear of the Isle of Man and in Galloway I will ditch the kayak and walk across Scotland (crossing the country’s second-largest peak, Ben Macdui) bound for Inverness / Nairn. From there I’ll swim the Moray Firth and then walk the last 100km to the finish.
In all I will complete a total of 690km kayaking, 410km walking and 5km swimming across the whole expedition. I’ll sleep where I can. I’ll purchase food, water, and accommodation as I am able.
I will be carrying emergency supplies, a sleeping system, warm / walking clothes, a blister repair kit, and a GPS tracker. The aim is to remain light and agile. Along the way, anyone can join me as moral support. All are welcome. But remember, I must do the whole journey solo (so you can’t carry anything for me, unfortunately).
Any kind of donation that you can offer will be gratefully received by all the fantastic organisations that I am supporting, as they supported me.
Why I am Taking On The Challenge
After suffering a serious neck injury playing rugby for the military, I found myself unsure of my career, my future and I realised just how much I took for granted. I took a knock during a game in Scotland which fractured my cervical vertebrae and damaged the discs which in turn caused temporary loss of my left arm (still hurts now thinking about it!).
After a long and arduous recovery, I have discovered a new sense of energy and spirit and I want to use this to do something in return for the organisations and charities that helped me to recover, and who have supported me, and others, in living life beyond injury. I have chosen these charities because of the fantastic work they do to support injured service personnel and veterans. Had I not been so lucky they would have stepped in to help me and provide care throughout my life. This is a chance for me to pay them back for what could have happened.
When I was injured I took the opportunity to research challenges that people undertake in the UK and around the world. I was struck by the Landsend to John O’Groats challenge however wanted to do it in a way that hadn’t been done before. The beeline or straight-line challenge has never been completed solo, and this will be the first time that anyone has attempted it.
For me this ticks all of the boxes; a sense of adventure, something no one has done before and an event hard enough to warrant donations.
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Any kind donations that you can offer will be gratefully received by all the fantastic organisations that I am supporting, as they supported me.