More than 100 members of Shropshire Young Farmers have successfully completed a two day Open Canoe Charity Challenge, to canoe the length of the River Severn in Shropshire, and raise much needed money for Cancer Research UK.

The Challenge was the idea of Lucy Stokes, County Chairman who wanted to organise a fund raising event  open to all of the county’s 900 members.”

The  116 members, aged 15 to 27, from 16 clubs in Shropshire each sponsored and paddled their boats for 20 hours, from Melverley, through Shrewsbury, on to Ironbridge, and ending at Bewdley yesterday evening.  The event was a challenge, not a social paddle, with members constantly having to paddle for up to four hours at a time, in order to cover the total miles during the weekend.

Lucy said : “ I was very proud of the 116 members who took part.  We all pushed ourselves to complete the physical challenge but also managed to have a good time as well.  It all went brilliantly, until I got thrown in the river at the end!

“Thanks to all the canoers, Drummond Outdoor, the wonderful helpers and our riverside supporters.  Also apologies to all the fishermen who we interrupted on our way down the Severn.”

Lucy will hand the Shropshire YFC donation over to Cancer Research UK at the Shropshire YFC AGM on  November 12 at the Lord Hill Hotel, Shrewsbury.

Total donations from this Canoe Challenge, a recent concert, and other fundraising events, will be around £10,000.

Donate at  http://www.justgiving.com/sfyfc-canoeing-challenge/, or visit us at www.sfyfc.org.uk