To Monaco via Audlem

I met a wonderful gentleman on Wednesday named Chris Allix (on the right), who I felt is worth mentioning as he is now on his second week out of twelve of canoeing from the Isle of Man to Monaco for charity. 

Chris started in the Isle of Man, crossing the Irish Sea and is currently canoeing through the British Canal System.

From there, he'll cross the English Channel and make his way through the French Canal System until eventually reaching Monaco (where it is rumoured Prince Albert II of Monaco, who is patron to one of the charities Chris is fundraising for, will greet him).

Not only does Chris have the gruelling task of canoeing a minimum of 30 miles a day, due to health and safety considerations, whenever he comes across a lock on the canal he has to get out of his canoe and carry it around the lock.

So when I met him arriving at the bottom of the Audlem Flight, I offered him the use of my trolley, as the thought of him carrying his canoe past all 15 locks (even with help of a friend, also pictured) seemed too much of a daunting task! 

Chris is fundraising for five charities:

Sailing for the Disabled (Isle of Man)
Namaste Children's House (Nepal)
ICM Charitable Trust
Outward Bound Trust (Monaco)
Encompass Trust (UK)

He's still looking for donations and there is more information on his website - www.mantomonaco.com

This article is from our news archive. As a result pictures or videos originally associated with it may have been removed and some of the content may no longer be accurate or relevant.