PADDLER 88
Words : Nikki McGenn , Clare Symes & David Harkness Photos : Nikki McGenn
“ Hi , I ’ m a trustee for Steel Bones , a charity for amputees and their families . We are exploring running a canoe challenge as an activity for members and possibly to help raise some funds . We thought of canoes as most of the people we help are lower-limb amputees , so we feel a canoe could be an ideal physical challenge for people . Most of our members are based around East Anglia , and hence , we are contacting you to see if your club may be able to help us with equipment , training , and safety .”
PADDLER 88
A CHALLENGE IS BORN
Words : Nikki McGenn , Clare Symes & David Harkness Photos : Nikki McGenn
“ Hi , I ’ m a trustee for Steel Bones , a charity for amputees and their families . We are exploring running a canoe challenge as an activity for members and possibly to help raise some funds . We thought of canoes as most of the people we help are lower-limb amputees , so we feel a canoe could be an ideal physical challenge for people . Most of our members are based around East Anglia , and hence , we are contacting you to see if your club may be able to help us with equipment , training , and safety .”
Sudbury Canoe Club is a small canoe club located in Sudbury , Suffolk . We pride ourselves on being friendly and welcoming . So when this email came in out of the blue in January 2024 , we wanted to help if we could . The initial exchanges we had with the charity were intriguing . We learned that Steel Bones supports amputees and their families throughout Cambridgeshire , Suffolk , Norfolk and Essex . It is the fastest-growing charity for civilian amputees ( there are numerous sources of support for military amputees , but not so many for civilians ).
Steel Bones organise a different fundraising event each year , but this year they wanted it to be a challenge for some of their members that was as inclusive as possible . Their last fundraising event was a walk to the top of Mount Snowden ; it was fine as a fundraiser but not so good as a challenge for their members because many of the amputees simply couldn ’ t participate in an arduous walk .