Hi everyone- my name's Simon and I'm an L1 paraplegic based in the UK.

Since last year I've been planning to go on an expedition in August in the River Yukon in Canada, where I hope to canoe the 700km from Whitehorse to Dawson city in 20 days.

It's part of Challenge Yukon, which is organized by EB adventures. The aim of the trip is to raise a substantial sum for Equal Adventure charity, which develops adaptive kit for disabled people and offers training for sport instructors in how to work with disabled people.

However, I have recently been told by the organizers that even though there has been a lot of interest in the trip, no one has joined up. This means that the trip may have to be postponed to next year.

This is obviously very disappointing to me since I have been fundraising and preparing for the expedition. Since I have been able to raise money fairly easily in a short time (about a thousand pounds in a month) I can't think why no one else has joined up.

Surely there are some among you who would be up for an adventure (it's not too hardcore at all) and who would be up to having a go raising some money? The amount needed was 2000 pounds for each person but this could be discussed with EB adventures.

Please have a look at this link for more information.
http://www.ebadventures.com/charity-expeditions.htm

Thanks guys, look forward to hearing from some of you soon.

Simon

First I've heard of this - maybe not enough PR has taken place...

A friend on mine in a low para like you and is big into canoeing, so have sent him your info.

How about contacting the Help For Heroes Fund and the Armed Forces Rehab Unit at Headley Court? The H4H web site has lots of links to similar adventures, so you may find others to join you via these links. There's an org for injured ex-service personnel and they do these sort of jolly's - not sure what they're called... Maybe BLESMA...

Thanks Dave, that's really helpful.

I'll have a go with the people you suggested.

Simon

That sounds so cool!

Hi Simon, Too short notice for me regarding the Canada trip if it doesnt happen for you this year suggest you try Glenmore Lodge near Inverness they run similiar courses to Plas Y Brenin but better accomodation, better rivers and better whisky.

Hi
Canoeing is one of my loves & I would love to join you but I am waiting for date for OP in next month or two so this year is out the window.
Keep us posted as I would be up for it next year or even another event.
all the best
CR

Cheers Pyranha banana
There is actually the 'Equal Adventure Festival' taking place at Glenmore Lodge on 3,4,5 July which I'm taking part in. I went to Plas Y Brenin last year so I'll see if you're right!:)

The Challenge Yukon Trip has now been postponed and will now take place next year. Let me know if you are interested.

Simon

Clarataylor and CR_L1

The expedition is now postponed to August next year so if either of you are interested let me know or contact EB adventures on enquiries@ebadventures.com or Ed Bassett on 07742 977826.

cheers

S

Thanks for the info,
Got to get operation out of the way first.

OK-Good luck with the operation. Hope it goes well.

Doh! I have always wanted to do that - I just have this one pressure sore that isn't healing at the moment. Looks fantastic though. Good Luck!!!

If it's postponed until next year and you still plan to go ahead with it when next summer comes around, I may consider doing it then because it sounds like a lot of fun. You definitely need to promote it more though. I'm sure there are plenty of other really active SCI people who would be really stoked to go on this trip. Try contacting the various SCI associations like the Canadian Paraplegic Association, Life Rolls On, NSCIA, etc., and see if they will help you spread the news. And then you could also contact organizations like Wounded Warriors, maybe Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra out in Mammoth (amazing organization) and just keep spreading the word. PR is everything when it comes to stuff like this. And who knows, you may even get some kind of funding so that the people who want to come don't have to pay so much out of their pockets and then you'll get an even bigger turnout. I'm sure money is a factor for a lot of people when it comes to going on things like this.

I might be interested, but i've got a lot to do in the next year. With a little luck I might be walking with braces by then