Justin Hansen is a University of Brighton MSc Occupational Therapy Student, also known as 'the Gutless Kayaker'. He previously undertook an event in 2010 raising over £20,000 for the valuable research St Mark’s hospital carry out in Harrow ....imagine for instance that you could use your own cells to grow new intestine for your bowel replacement ... with bowel cancer and related conditions claiming more lives this is a real opportunity to help make a difference.
Justin is now undertaking a further challenge in September 2013. This time he will be kayaking 420 miles from Skipton (North Yorkshire) to Bristol (South West England), again using the inland waterways through our beautiful countryside. This huge distance presents the Gutless Kayaking team a new set of challenges both on and off the water and also a World Record for endurance on artificial nutrition. Justin’s consultant gastroenterologist Dr Simon Gabe and fellow professional colleagues do not believe anyone, anywhere, has ever attempted a trip of this nature and duration whilst surviving on artificial nutrition. Thus Justin will be claiming the world record!
Since the last event Justin successfully completed his BSc in Psychology at the University of Portsmouth - having been interrupted by a stint in hospital due to a stroke & open heart surgery – he is now working towards an MSc in Occupational Therapy at the University of Brighton. This year’s Gutless Kayaking will be undertaken after Justin has (hopefully) qualified as an Occupational Therapist and before he finally secures gainfully employed! For full details of Justin and his condition please see www.gutlesskayaking.com
They have the support of the same team as last time - Richard Carpenter - narrow boat skipper, logistical genius and the boss of everything once we're on the water, Trevor Roberts and his team from the Community Boats projects, guest paddler Terry Oliver (our tidal Trent specialist), Convatec and Bupa are again coming to our aid along with a host of other helpers, family & friends. Justin will have no fitness excuses as the University of Brighton have provided access to their gyms as well as a personal trainer and a specially designed fitness programme.
The route covers a huge area and the team would appreciate your support, passing through Skipton, Leeds, Nottingham, Loughborough, Leicester, Banbury, Oxford, Abingdon, Reading, Newbury, Hungerford, Devizes, Bath and Bristol. Get in touch if you'd like to help, encourage or support us along the way. This year they have the addition of a double kayak to persuade people to come and join them along the route or on the water and do some fund raising in each area.
To get involved and for details of the route look at http://www.gutlesskayaking.com/blog/what/map/ or call 07768 102515 or email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ,uk
Donations can be made online or cheques can be made out to "St Marks Foundation" and sent to us at Gutless Kayaking, 6 Marksbury Avenue . Kew Gardens, Surrey TW9 4JF
They would love to hear from you with any further fundraising suggestions as well!