Catching up with Helen as she makes her way down the Thames raising funds and river pollution awareness


Helen's journey begins

Putney resident, Helen Charlton has been walking, paddleboarding and kayaking along the Thames on her 300km journey from its source in Gloucestershire to the Thames Barrier in stages, in aid of rowing and sailing charity The AHOY Centre. She is half way there both in distance and funds raised, having reached Reading and just under £7500, with the final push to London next month reaching Putney on 23rd September for the Putney Foreshore Festival.


Helen's brother keeps her company on her paddleboarding

Helen told PutneySW15:
“It was exciting to see the source, and hard to believe that the small spring in a faraway field becomes the mighty river I’m familiar with in Putney. I was struck by the beauty and unspoilt nature of the Upper Thames, and also the human impact on the river as one follows it. Sleeping in a tent and being woken at 4am by birdsong is a change from being under the Heathrow flightpath in Putney. Challenges have included battling aggressive horseflies, being drenched in downpours and paddling into a strong headwind through Goring Gap-with plenty more to come.”


Thames Path near Inglesham

You can follow Helen 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

Helen's faithful kayak spreads the fundraising word!

August 16, 2018