Putney resident will be following the Thames this summer raising funds and awareness

Helen Charlton will be making a journey from the source of the Thames to the sea at the Thames Barrier (approximately 185 miles/298 km) on foot, by paddleboard and by paddle, supporting charities associated with the Thames.



Putney resident Helen lives near the Thames in Putney and her work involves the river. She supports members of her family rowing on various stretches of the Thames, and has seen how they benefit hugely from the enjoyment and challenge of rowing on the river. She is also a volunteer for a charity foundation making grants to projects and initiatives addressing social inequality and economic disadvantage.

Helen, pictured above told this website, "I’m supporting the AHOY Centre, a watersports charity near the Thames Barrier, on the river at Deptford - in one of London’s most deprived areas." Her aim is to raise £15,000 for a 1-year apprenticeship in NVQ L2 Certificate in Activity leadership/outdoor activity leadership, giving one young person a chance in life they would not otherwise have.

Helen said: ": "AHOY's apprenticeship programme builds crucial transferable skills and qualifications vital for finding employment; the charity has a strong track record of employment success for its graduate apprentices.

"For 4 days I’ll be on foot, then paddleboarding with members of the Whale Company, an environmental organisation inspiring the next generation to think creatively about design towards a more sustainable future. They will be on paddleboards made from plastic bottles - emphasising the damage plastics can do to the aquatic environment."
 


AHOY provides sailing, rowing and water-based activities for disadvantaged and at-risk children and young people and those excluded from mainstream education. The charity gives disabled people the chance to participate in activities and courses on an equal level. Using the Thames for sailing, rowing and water activities, AHOY helps to build self-confidence, teamwork, and self-esteem in the children and young people it supports.


Helen will paddleboard with Carlos & Carolyn who will be on their bottle boards!

Stage 1 of Follow the Thames starts on 5th June with Helen walking 23 miles (37 km) from the source to Lechlade, where the river becomes navigable. From there she will paddleboard 38 miles (62km) with Carolyn and Carlos (Message in a bottle campaign), reaching Abingdon on 11th June. She'll return to Putney for a break, and to plan the later stages of Follow the Thames for the Summer.

Helen said: I’m also hoping to visit some water infrastructure and sites along the route of the Thames. I aim to reach London by 23rd September, in time for the Foreshore Festival in Putney; I’ll continue to AHOY and the Thames Barrier, where my journey will end."

Active360 Putney paddle boarders

Helen has learnt to Paddleboard with local company Active360 which runs local classes from Barn Elms Boat House. The company not only encourages people to take part as a great workout to develop fitness and core strength, but also as a way to introduce people to develop more awareness about marine environments and threats to them, encouraging and enabling people to get actively involved in protecting the waterways.

Active360 director, Paul Hyman is encouraging Helen, lending her the equipment and said: "We are delighted to be supporting Helen on her journey. Her project Follow the Thames from source to sea, helping young people connect with the Thames and get out on the water, fits well with other projects we're doing. We introduced Helen to Carolyn and Carlos, and she'll be paddling with them on the first part of their own source to sea paddleboarding project: Message in a Bottle, raising awareness of plastic pollution in our waterways and delivering a message to Parliament. Together these projects highlight the Thames as a valuable natural resource to enjoy, and the urgent need to protect it from plastic pollution.

He continued: "In her lessons with us Helen took to paddleboarding like a duck to water! She has been training with us, and we're confident she will have no trouble negotiating her way down the river on her paddleboard."

You can follow Helen's on her journey along the Thames this summer on; Twitter: @followthethames, Instagram: @followthethames and to help raise the £15,000 for the 1-year apprenticeshipyou can donate at : BT MyDonate

May 17, 2018