Once upon a time, in a Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit in Ayr, a conversation took place between a group of nurses. "Let's set the ultimate challenge," said Derek. "Ok," said Stewart, Rambo, and Andy, "We'll pedal a boat across the North Channel from Scotland to Ireland."
From there the "Pedalo Challenge" was born. Over the next few months lots of phone calls were made and it became obvious that the idea was catching everybodys imagination. South Ayrshire Council offered to sell a pedalo to the project for the princely sum of £1, others offered help with fundraising, a gallant band of pedallers was signed up, then, out of the mist rode a hero amongst men, Ronnie Holmes from Fairlie Quay Marina. Nothing was too much bother, a purpose built vessel would be made.
Then, by chance, Derek spotted a boat for sale on Ebay, perfect for our project, and Paddy from Birkenhead entered the fray. When we explained what we intended doing, Paddy not only donated his boat for nothing but towed it halfway to Scotland to hand it over to Derek and Stewart. We will never be able to adequately express our gratitude to Paddy for his magnificent generosity. The boat is now at Fairlie Quay Marina where Ronnie and his team will convert it into a pedalo for the attempt which will take place in the summer of 2007.
In the meantime we have chosen a charity which we want to use the attempt to raise funds for.
Clic Sargent provides clinical, psychosocial, emotional and financial services in hospital, at home and in the community across the UK for children suffering from cancer. This is a charity close to Stewart's heart having lost both his children to the disease. Further information on the charity can be found at http://www.clicsargent.org.uk/Home
Well, that's how this ridiculous venture started. Everybody we tell about it says, "Why are you doing this, they say it can't be done!" Well, that's the reason.
Since launching the event, we have learned that the daughter of one of our team members, Anne Morrison, has been diagnosed with cardiomyopathy. We have, therefore, decided to make a substantial donation from our fund to the Cardiomyopathy Association which provides support to sufferers and their families. Further information on their work can be found at
