Canoeists paddle length of River Thames for Help for Heroes

A group of keen canoeists have travelled from one end of the River Thames to the other in order to raise a considerable amount of money for Help for Heroes.

The military charity will benefit to the tune of £10,000 after the team from Cirencester paddled the entire 123-mile length of the river, reports the Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard.

In order to complete the trek in one stint, the canoeists slept in tents on the riverbank overnight and also had to battle against crosswinds of 40mph.

Bryn Parry, chief executive of Help for Heroes, said: "It was a massive team effort, completing a total of 123 miles by canoe and we are extremely grateful for this contribution to the charity."

In the long run, the team of canoeists hope to be able to raise in the region of £20,000 in recognition of their efforts and make their tremendous achievement all the more worthwhile.