Elsie-Rose & Friends: A Marathon in a Kayak!

Elsie-Rose

Well, it's getting very close now for Mark Little and his team, who will be undertaking the equivalent of a marathon, but using their arms rather than their legs, when they kayak across the English Channel from Dungeness to Boulogne this coming week, probably on Tuesday or Wednesday if the forecast stays true. As I've said before, this will be in support of Elsie-Rose and the Elsie-Rose & Friends Foundation. 

Local lass Elsie-Rose was diagnosed with Type I SMA in September 2014, a condition that causes severe muscle weakness, and results in problems moving, eating, breathing and swallowing. Without intervention, most children with Type I SMA die within the first 2 years of life, sadly, however, the cheerful and resilient Elsie-Rose strives to carry on and enjoy life just like any other young 4 year-old, despite fractured limbs and many other complications, and she keeps on smiling! 

Because many of the expenses involved in supporting children with Type I SMA are not provided by the Department of Health or NHS, the Elsie-Rose & Friends Foundation was set up to help provide help and financial support to families with disabled, sick, and terminally ill children. After meeting Elsie-Rose and her family, Mark and his team decided to kayak across the English Channel with the aim of raising money for Elsie-Rose and the Foundation.

Mark Training

Before setting off to France, indeed, on this Monday coming (20th August), from 3.30 pm at the Dolphin Inn in Rock-a-Nore Road, Hastings (opposite the fish market, fish huts and RX134 Stacey Marie Fishermen's Museum outdoor exhibit), there will be a charity raffle in support of this fundraising. 

Kayak IPA

In addition, 2 breweries have already contributed a firkin (72 pints) of ale each, and all the proceeds from their sale will go towards the Elsie-Rose & Friends Foundation (many thanks to Wantsum and Marsdens breweries), and with the likelihood of another 2 firkins in the metaphorical pipeline! Watch out for the pumpclip in the image above.

To make contributions towards supporting this brave young girl and others with similar problems, as many local people and businesses already have done, many thanks, please make a donation via Crowdfunding, or visit the Dolphin Inn and make a pledge to support this Kayak Marathon, or put something in the collection box on the bar please. Indeed, all contributions will be very gratefully received, many thanks!

If you wish to know more about Elsie-Rose, the Elsie-Rose & Friends Foundation and their campaign, you can go to their facebook page or twitter page. If you would like more details about SMA Type 1, go to the Spinal Muscular Atrophy Support UK website. 

Good luck for Tuesday, and best wishes to Elsie-Rose, her family and friends!