The Maesteg neighbourhood policing officers are taking to the water on Easter Saturday (3 April) to take part in the annual Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race.
The 125 mile endurance challenge begins in Devizes in Wiltshire and finishes in Westminster in Central London, the race follows the Kennet and Avon Canal for 52 miles then onto the non tidal river Thames for another 55 miles then finally onto the Tidal river Thames for the final 18 miles where it will finish near the houses of Parliament. The race is the longest non stop canoe race in the world.
Police constables Dai Rees and Mark Hunter will be paddling non-stop through the day and night only exiting the water in order to carry their kayak canoes past 77 locks. Sometimes this is just a matter of yards although it can be up to a mile.
Neither PC Rees nor PC Hunter have had much experience in this type of sport which make the gruelling challenge all the more daunting and they have been training for the past few weeks on the Brecon to Monmouth canal.
The neighbourhood officers will be raising funds for the Communications Base Centre at Llangynwyd Primary School which has two classes at the school, with a dedicated team of 6 staff members who support children aged between three and eleven years from the Maesteg and the surrounding areas who have difficulties in daily communication and Autism.
PC Rees said: “Funds raised will provide essential equipment at the school such as a light sensor therapy room which staff have been unable to complete because of a lack of funds, it is vital for these children to be given the best possible support which will allow them to return to the mainstream education system.
“We are also hoping that we will be able to work with students at the comprehensive school to encourage some of them to take up the challenge in 2011.”
