Prescott set for latest challenge
Cancer fighter Steve Prescott MBE has admitted that his latest fundraising challenge is keeping him up at night with the thoughts of being mowed down by a ferry in the busiest shipping channel in the world!
This Sunday (15th April) Steve and two time Man of Steel Paul Sculthorpe will begin their eight day extreme endurance test – the Engage Mutual Paris to London; Marathon Challenge. The two rugby league legends begin in the French capital where they will run the Paris Marathon before cycling and kayaking their way to England in time to run the Virgin London Marathon on the following Sunday.
Despite the relentless nature of the journey and the inclusion of two “competitive” 26 mile runs, it is the unique crossing of the English Channel that has unnerved both challengers.
“The thought of an oil tanker or ferry crashing straight into my kayak is becoming a bit of recurring nightmare. It’s woken me a few times now. I know the marathons, and the back-to-back days on the bike will be tough – but I do have experience of that. Crossing the Channel in an individual kayak is something completely new.” Said Steve.
It’s not just the careful navigation of the Channel that’s causing a great deal of concern for the duo. Following their final kayak training session last week both Steve and Paul were deeply stirred by the impact the weather could have on completing the fundraising challenge.
Paul Sculthorpe commented
“We did a circuit of Anglesey (North Wales) and it was a huge eye-opener for how hard it could be if the weather wasn’t on our side. Physically it’s a real game changer. I capsized twice! The weather is a real worry now”.
Steve and Paul are raising funds for The Steve Prescott Foundation whose beneficiary charities are Try Assist, which is the rugby league benevolent fund, and The Christie in Manchester, where Steve receives treatment for his terminal cancer.
To keep up to date with pictures and videos from the challenge plus a live GPS tracker monitoring their progress please visit www.engagemutual.com/steveandscully
To donate visit www.justgiving.com/steve-scully