Medway Medley Charity Challenge Complete

Earlier in 2023 when we chose Smile Train as our charity of the year we started to think about what challenge we could do in the office to raise those all important funds. Having last year trekked 43 miles from Crawley to Maidstone we knew we wanted something that would be a test but I don't think any of us had quite envisaged how much of a test we'd be facing.

 

When Patrick Reedman came up with the idea of the Medway Medley, we laughed it off, putting it in the 'impossible' pile, but as we gave it some more thought and pitched it to the wider office it came apparent that this was doable with a lot of organisation and training. Fast forward to June and 20 of our team were stood in Turners Hill on a sunny Friday morning ready to go.

 

The challenge began in Turners Hill, West Sussex, covering 22 miles on foot, following footpaths through East Grinstead, Cowden, Penshurst and finishing up in Tonbridge. This alone was challenging but the walkers were blessed with good weather and they stomped across the countryside in good spirits. By the time they reached Tonbridge there were a few limps and certainly lots of blisters, but this didn't deter them as part of the group then hopped into canoes to take on the 18 mile row down the River Medway. 

 

The team had undertaken some training prior to the challenge but the canoeing was certainly the hardest leg of the day. With very few of the team regular rowers, it tested their bodies to the limits, using muscles that rarely get a work out. Sitting in canoes for six plus hours is challenging enough, but navigating locks along the way made the journey even more difficult. Luckily, apart from one pair who perhaps got a bit too confident (!), everyone stayed dry and managed to reach Allington lock in time for a quick pit stop before the cycling leg. 

 

The cycling covered 35 miles and took the group via Rochester and Old Sheppey Bridge, finishing off at Sheerness Tesco. By this time it was pitch black and many of them had been up before 5am having completed the walk and canoing too. I don't think any of them expected to be so relieved to see Tesco and they finished off just past 11pm with very weary smiles on their faces. 

 

As one of the support crew I was blown away by the determination from the team, pulling together, rallying around and spurring each other on to complete the challenge. There were most definitely some dark moments but everyone soldiered on. This event epitomises everything about team work which is what DHA is all about, whether in the office pulling together a planning application or outside on the River Medway, everyone is there to support and encourage each other to get the job done. 

 

A special mention goes to Matt Blythin, Simon Moon and Patrick Reedman for planning the route and leading the team throughout the day, we couldn't have done it without you. Thanks also to Alex Hicken, Chris Hawkins, David Hicken and Tilly Woodhead for playing a vital role in logistics and support and to all the family members that popped in to check points to provide that all important moral support and encouragement which definitely encouraged the team to keep going. 

 

A final thanks goes to River Medway Canoes for providing the canoes and equipment, Paddle Cabin for allowing us to use their Jetty as a check point, and Kent Life for storing our bikes and equipment which hugely helped the logistics of the day.