Three members of the Asset Alliance Group team have successfully completed a kayak challenge that called on them to cross the English Channel and raise funds for Transaid.
Commercial Director, Bus and Coach, Martyn Bellis (pictured, right); Sales Director, Bus and Coach, Darren Fitzpatrick (pictured, centre); and Senior Credit Manager Suki Chana (pictured, left) paddled their way between Dungeness and Boulogne on 29 September.
They completed the crossing in five hours and 45 minutes, having covered 18.5 nautical miles. Money raised to date has seen the trio surpass their initial fundraising target of £7,500, but donations via a JustGiving page are still being accepted.
The support will allow Transaid to continue to deliver lifechanging impacts by providing safe, accessible and sustainable transport solutions in sub-Saharan Africa, as well as delivering vital medical supplies to remote regions.
Speaking about the feat, Mr Bellis describes the crossing as “one of the biggest challenges of my life,” adding that while physically testing, it was arguably more mentally gruelling due to the rough seas experienced.
“Today my body is broken, I ache all over, I would never do this again, but I am so chuffed that I did this. Darren Fitzpatrick and Suki Chana, this is what teamwork is all about.”
Mr Fitzpatrick adds that he was “drained but elated” after completing the voyage. He has thanked the safety boat team and the trio’s sponsors, saying that the challenge was “an amazing weekend… and what an experience.”
Mr Chana began kayaking in July and notes that while all three participants completed the crossing, each of the three men have “a few aches.”
Transaid Head of Fundraising Maddy Matheson has thanked Mr Bellis, Mr Chana and Mr Fitzpatrick. “This was an incredible achievement by three colleagues who were determined to mark Asset Alliance Group’s first year as Transaid corporate members in the most unique fashion possible,” she says.
“We are hugely grateful for their efforts in raising such a significant sum of money.”
