By Sarah Robinson

Published at 15:43, Wednesday, 17 March 2010

ONE man and his dog will be kayaking across the Irish Sea.

Isle of Man here we come: Martin Whitmill with his dog, Charlie, and fundraising friends

Martin Whitmill, of Cleator, will be taking his labrador, Charlie, on the 35-mile journey from Whitehaven to Ramsey, in the Isle of Man, in July.

He hopes to raise thousands of pounds for WaterAid and four churches in and around Cleator Moor by completing the challenge.

Martin said: “Some people think I’m crazy but I would love to raise £5,000 and Charlie will love it too. I couldn’t leave him behind. He comes on all sorts of journeys.

“He has paddled from London to Liverpool with me. He rides up front with his own life jacket and a special grip mat so he can hold on. Sometimes he jumps into the water and paddles alongside.”

Martin is getting ready for the trip and has already bought a new kayak that is suitable for his four-legged friend.

“I had to find exactly the right sort. Most have a sloping front deck so they were no good. I needed a flat deck for Charlie to sit on,” he said.

And, he has already recruited a fully-crewed back-up boat, a team of coaches and a group of volunteer fundraisers from United Utilities where he works.

He said he plans to do 30-mile circuits of Lake Windermere and then build up to regularly kayaking 50 miles a day on the sea before the actual journey.

Organisers say that half the money will be distributed to the churches in the Crosslacon team to pay for full-time and voluntary workers to help the community with youth groups, bereavement counselling and ensuring that these historic places remain open.

Parish rectors Rev Peter Turnbull, who is the team vicar, and Rev Jacqueline Curtis are supporting Martin in his adventure and also aim to complete a sponsored coast-to-coast walk themselves.

Mr Turnbull said: “It is a great initiative and Martin is bringing a lot of enthusiasm and colour into our community with it.

“We already have a number of other people who are planning to carry out their own fundraising challenges in support.”

He said a church organist is planning a two-hour recital and a group of children are hoping to hike up Dent.

To sponsor Martin and Charlie, contact 01946 813629 or The Vicarage, Wath Brow, Cleator Moor, CA23 3AE.

You can also donate online through the Just Giving website under Martin Whitmill Summer Challenge 2010.

Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk