TWO men are preparing to paddle their way from Crooklands to London to raise money for charity.

Trevor Hughes, 64, and David Oates, 63, both former presidents of Kendal Rotary Club, will kayak the 380 miles along inland waterways over 16 days next month.

They will be joined by friend Brian Wilson, a civil engineer from Oman, as they raise funds for Sandgate School and the Rotary charity Shelterbox.

“The school is desperate to replace its canoes for children,” said Mr Hughes, who is a former senior canoe and kayak instructor with the scouts.

“As Rotarians we also thought it would be nice to do something for a related charity, and Shelterbox sends out boxes of essentials to those that need them after a disaster.”

Initially the challenge was to help the Kendal men with their ‘late-life weight gain’.

Mr Hughes said: “We are all reaching retirement age and starting to put a little bit of weight on around the middle, so we wanted to do something. It’s a late-life challenge!

“We have been training for the past few months and it’s been hard work but I definitely feel fitter.”

The trip will begin on October 8 at Tewitfield Locks near Crooklands, and it is hoped the trio will reach their desti-nation of Tower Bridge 16 days later.

“We are hoping to do around 25 miles a day,” said Mr Hughes.

“We have done this distance before so we can do it, but I am sure we will get tired near the end. I am looking forward to it although it will be hard work, but worth it.”

Mr Oates is a recent convert to sea kayaking having been a one-time Royal Yachting Assoc-iation dingy sailing instructor.

He has been a volunteer helper on Sandgate School’s an-nual trip to Arisaig over the last two years.

To donate to the effort, visit mydonate.bt.com/ events/kendaltolondonbykayak