AN East Huntspill man is taking on the challenge of paddle boarding from Bristol to London, and back again, in order to raise funds for two charities.

Matt Jones, 23, joins Iain Bell, a 30-year-old from Nailsea, in paddle boarding 470km along the Kennet and Avon Canal, navigating 248 locks over 11 days.

The pair set off from Bristol’s harbourside last Thursday, June 10, and are set to paddle for 11 hours a day in order to accomplish their challenge.

Iain and Matt, both outdoor activity instructors, have taken on the trek to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support and St Peter’s Hospice, in Bristol, after Iain’s mum Caroline passed away from cancer in April 2017.

Matt said: “Macmillan is a charity close to our hearts, as so many of my family members have been touched by and lost to cancer.

“Macmillan has always been there supporting them and the family around them throughout.

“Even work colleagues have commented on how wonderful Macmillan has been to their families when I have been talking about our challenge.”

Iain added: “Mum was diagnosed with cancer of the vulva in September 2016.

“After an extensive fight she passed away in April 2017 in St Peter’s Hospice, where she received an incredible amount of care in her final days.

“It would be her 63rd birthday on June 20, when we arrive back in Bristol, so it will be an emotional day for many reasons.”

St Peter’s Hospice provides care and support to adults who are living with a progressive life-limiting illness in the Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset areas.

Clemi Williams, a community fundraiser at the hospice, said: “Our nursing teams have faced an incredibly challenging year, and fundraisers like this mean we can continue to be there for patients and families.”

Anyone who would like to support Iain and Matt’s fundraising can do so here.