On September 7th 2023 two friends (Dan and Jim) took on the challenge of kayaking across the English Channel to raise money for the incredible cause that is Baby Harry’s Memorial Fund. Dan and Jim are part of a men’s group called Way of the Viking based in the Lancing/Steyning area and were seeking a challenge and a fitting cause to raise money for.

They were alerted to Baby Harry’s Memorial Fund by another member of the group, who was so very passionate about the good work that the fund does with some stories nearly moving him to tears and they could think of nothing better than to start trying to raise some money for this wonderful fund that has impacted so many lives.

Plans were made, logistics put in place and they set off on the first sea worthy day,  from Dungeness, on their epic mission to kayak across the Channel, with the ambition of arriving on French soil in Boulogne later that day.

They could not have been luckier with the weather and someone must have been shining down upon them, as it was to be the warmest day of the year and the calmest the Channel can get…although it still had quite a chop to it when they reached the mid sea with waves coming from multiple directions, which is apparently characteristic of the Channel, as it is in relative terms quite shallow at points.

At around 10am they could at last see land again in the distance through the mist….France was in sight!

Eventually reaching their destination just before 11am which was fantastic and because they completed the crossing so quickly, were able to shower up and grab a quick bite of “moules et frites” before the support boat sped them back across the channel to Rye Harbour ….but not without passing some mega ships in the shipping lane and spotting a dolphin first!!

Blistered hands, aching muscles and salty skin…..it was worth every minute of effort and training for the months leading up to the event, to raise money for the wonderful Baby Harry’s Memorial Fund

‌‌‌ We would like to thank Dave and Lisa so very much for allowing us to represent them as it was an absolute honour and a privilege to do so ‌‌‌