Kat's Canoe Challenge

Hi my name is Jon Denyer.

I'm trying to raise money for Young Minds mental health charity.

I'm doing this because there is just not enough help and support out there for the UK's Young people suffering from mental health issues, and tragedy struck our family in 2021, that shows this is the case

My beautiful Niece Kat, had suffered with mental health from teenage years, and tragically she lost her battle in November 2021.

Kat was just 22, and she loved her family, her pets and nature. Kat was loved by all who knew her, unfortunately she needed more than our love could give.

If Kat was able to access the help she needed when her mental health began to deteriorate as a teen, then she might still be here today. Living in a rural area, the support she needed wasn't available.

My goal is to raise £10,000 for Young Minds, so that just maybe, it can fund the support to help save a young person when they feel that the world is too dark to carry on.

To maybe save a family from going through what my Brother, his wife and son are going through. When a tragedy like this strikes, it cuts a family so deeply, leaving wounds that will never heal.

I intend to raise £10,000, in memory of Kat, by doing something, that to my knowledge, has never been done. I am planning in the summer (June/July) of 2024, to solo paddle a 16ft Canadian open canoe, the full 120km of The Towy River, from source to sea, un aided.

Why the Towy? Firstly the river flows through Kat's hometown of Llandovery, and through Llandeilo, the town she lived in when she passed away.

Secondly its one of the longest rivers that flows entirely through Wales, so the longest available distance to me.

So will you support me in my efforts to raise money for such a worthy cause in such challenging times for our youngsters?

All funds will go directly to the charity, all I have to do is train and take part, all you can do is to donate and support.

Many thanks for taking the time to read about this fundraiser, I hope I can rely on you for your support, each donation no matter how small will help.

I will be making a Facebook page over the next few days to share updates as a definite date has not yet been chosen, because with this sort of challenge, the weather and water levels will decide the date, and I cannot predict those a year in advance. I will add the link on here as soon as it is done.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094468812746&mibextid=ZbWKwL