Families across the Bath area are being invited to enjoy the spectacle as paddle boarders, kayakers and canoeists come together again to raise invaluable funds for Dorothy House Hospice Care. The Big Avon Paddle takes place on 17 September 2022 with participants on the water from 10am at The Boathouse, Newbridge, Bath.
Dorothy House launched the event last year with huge support from Channel Kayaks and The Boathouse pub. Participants paddled a collective 763 miles on the day and raised over £12,000 for local hospice and end of life palliative care both in the community and at Winsley.
This year, all attendees will be treated to live music throughout the day along with an outside bar serving not only alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and snacks, but ‘fresh out the oven’ pizzas and flat breads too. (Free for every participant.)
Any form of ‘paddle powered’ craft is welcome to take part, while entrants must be aged 14 and over, with entrants aged 14-17 being accompanied by a paying guardian. Entry is managed by Dorothy House via its website. The entry fee is £20 and all entrants will receive a free event T-shirt as well as refreshments along the route on the day.
Tracy Smith, who took part in the event last year, and has signed up to participate again this year, said, ‘’I lost my lovely mum to cancer in 2015 aged just 60. During and after her illness, Dorothy House supported not only my mum but our whole family. My daughters were young, and the art therapy sessions were invaluable in helping them to remember my mum and process our grief.
“We have since made small donations through various appeals but I always felt I wanted to do more! I saw the first Big Avon Paddle advertised and I knew this was the event for me as paddle boarding is a hobby of mine; it was perfect. A very good friend signed up to support me and we paddled the full course in memory of my mum. The day was fantastic – well organised, great atmosphere, friendly encouraging organisers and a perfect venue. Even the sunshine was on order for us!
“Channel Kayaks were the perfect partners and I ended the day with sore arms and a sense of accomplishment having raised just over £400. We enjoyed a complimentary meal as the sun set and we raised a glass to my mum. We agreed there and then that we would be back the following year to do it all over again for such a fantastic cause. Thank you Dorothy House.’’
If you would like to find out more about the event or register to participate, visit www.dorothyhouse.org.uk/get-involved/events/the-big-avon-paddle-2022/