Local News

Loftus man, Andrew Millar, is kayaking solo across the English Channel on Monday 4 August 2014 to raise money for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

Andrew Millar, who has recently celebrated his 50th birthday, will cross the English Channel from Rye in East Sussex to Boulogne in a Sit-On-Top fishing kayak (and not some fit for purpose ocean cruising sea kayak). It is a distance of approximately 38 miles or 33 nautical miles. Andrew reckons it will take him between 6 and 8 hours and Andrew will have a support boat with him to help guide him through the busy shipping lanes of the English Channel.

Andrew is a keen fishing kayaker and has planned this trip as a personal challenge to mark his 50th birthday which he celebrated earlier this year.

"I have been training in open seas for the past year as preparation and I am presently doing most of my training in Zwijndrecht in Holland whilst working for Orion at the Hereema yard on the Talisman MAR Project." said Andrew.

"I hope to raise £5,000 and I would really appreciate anything that you can give that will help me raise funds for the RNLI to support the fantastic work their volunteer crewmembers do helping to save lives at sea.’

"I have been in touch with the RNLI and taken advice from them regarding health and safety and the required safety equipment and GPS and radio needed for the trip. I am just hoping for some good weather and calm seas."

Anyone wishing to help Andrew raise funds can do so by visiting http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/AndrewMillar4