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WIRRAL KAYAK CHALLENGE
The first Wirral Kayak Challenge was set up in 2012 by Mike Dudley , who organised five of his kayaking friends to take part in a challenge to kayak from New Brighton ’ s Harrison Drive to Thurstaston ’ s Dee Sailing Club at the same time as the Wirral Coastal walk to raise money and awareness for Claire House Children ’ s Hospice .
Since then , the event has grown in leaps and bounds , every year attracting more and more people to take part and raise money for various local charities . In 2019 the number of participants had grown to 130 and they have so far raised approximately £ 30,000 for Claire House alone . For 2021 , we invited paddleboarders to take part as well as kayakers . There were 150 + participants in the water on Sunday 18th July , the highest number to date . The event finished at Thurstaston and the Dee Sailing Club opened to provide drinks to the thirsty paddlers ! There was also a band , magician and New Brighton Radio to greet everyone who had taken part . Wirral Kayak Challenge 2021 have had lots of support from many local businesses and would like to thank each and every one of them . These included not only the Dee Sailing Club but R & J Travel , RNLI West Kirby and all the safety boat crews who all did a superb job on the day .
This year the chosen charities are Claire House Children ’ s Hospice and Merseyside and Cheshire Blood Bikes . Please feel free to donate as there is also an annual fundraiser in October where the final cheques are handed over to the charities .
1 ) Claire House Children ’ s Hospice - www . justgiving . com / teams / teamkayak
2 ) Merseyside and Cheshire Blood Bikes - www . justgiving . com / d89bfdec72
Claire House have received over £ 8,800 so far from this years kayak event , they have had over £ 35,000 of the £ 52,000 that has been raised since the event started (£ 17,000 has gone to other charities including McMillan , MS Society , RNLI , ICU ward Arrowe Park , Blood bikes , Wirral holistic care services ).
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