FIFA World Cup and UK Premiership Referee, Howard Webb, has given his support to Ken Robertshaw and Grace Alsancak from the Rotary Club of Halifax in their bid to kayak the entire length of the Mississippi River. Beginning in August, the pair will travel from the river’s source in Lake Itasca, Minnesota to its estuary in the Gulf of Mexico just below New Orleans. They aim to complete the 2,350 mile journey in a maximum of 60 days – an average of 40 miles per day.
The trip is being undertaken to raise funds for The Theodora Children’s Trust, a charity that supplies specially trained entertainers to children’s hospitals and hospices in Great Britain and Ireland. The entertainers which are nicknamed Giggle Doctors, visit sick children in hospital to cheer them up and make them laugh in order to make their hospital stay less of an ordeal.
Howard Webb said: “When I heard what Ken and Grace were planning to do I thought it was a very brave challenge to take on. Rotary club members do extraordinary things for people all over the world. but this challenge is something else and will provide funds for a charity that does so much to brighten the days for hundreds of sick children in hospital.”
Jennifer Payne of The Theodora Children’s Trust, said: “Their commitment and determination is awe inspiring and we hope that people will dig deep to show their support. For every five pounds raised, a Giggle Doctor can visit another child, so we hope that will spur them on. It makes such a difference to lots of little ones.”
Ken Robertshaw has been involved in many charitable events including driving goods vehicles across Europe to deliver relief supplies to Romania. Grace Alsancak is a masters degree student in sports coaching at Leeds University who attended a Leadership Development Course run by Rotary. She has previously climbed Mount Kilimanjaro for charity.
The pair will be unsupported on the journey and will carry all their supplies, camping or staying in riverside towns along the way. Ken Robertshaw said: “The aim is to raise £100,000, which is a tall order for two ordinary people with no large financial backers, but it is one that we are determined to achieve.”
To pledge your support visit www.mississippichallenge.co.uk or email ken@mississippichallenge.co.uk
