In August 2009 Justin Baring, Graham Birch, Jamie Strauss, Tom Clark, Marcus Hanbury, Jo Wakeley, George Irvine and Rupert Hodson set off in canoes on the Kennet and Avon canal to paddle from Devizes to Teddington.

This 142km trip was completed in two man canoes and took three days. If it were not for the encouragement of the many supporters cheering us along on the way and the team work between the crews, the challenge may have got the better of us.

The most arduous task was to lift the canoes out of the water and around the 18 locks along the way.

The many blisters, aches, pains and general stiffness were all worth it thanks to the hugely generous sponsorship that the teams received for their troubles.