Canoe Safari Warden's Coracle Fundraiser for WWT

Canoe Safari Warden, Jayne Kirkham, will coracle 60 miles down the River Severn in April to raise money for WWT.

Canoe Safari Warden, Jayne Kirkham, will coracle 60 miles down the River Severn in April to raise money for WWT.

The coracle adventure will begin at Upper Arley on Monday 17 April. Jayne aims to carry out 5 legs of roughly 12 miles, stopping overnight, until she reaches the Shepherds Patch bridge at Slimbridge - by a planned date of Friday 21 April.

In 2021 Jayne took part in a 10 mile sponsored walk along the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal, but to make it more interesting did it in a canoe. As a seasoned canoeist this wasn't much of a challenge so thought - next time let's try it in a coracle. As Jayne turns 60 this year this challenge then escalated into an adventure of not 10, but 60, miles down the Severn and finally finishing the last leg on the canal.

Jayne explains:

I love birds and I love boats - little ones: canoes, kayaks and coracles. So being one of the Canoe Safari Wardens at WWT Slimbridge is a bit of a dream job for me. When I started I definitely knew more about boats than birds. But time spent at Slimbridge has allowed me to witness the comings and goings of so many different species and over the years I've realised just how essential wetlands are for life on this planet. So I hope you will support me and make a donation to the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust.

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Jayne getting a surprise visitor at Slimbridge's Canoe Safari one summer - Nzuri, the crowned crane.

Between March and Monday 17 April, Jayne will be out and about on local rivers and canals building up speed and stamina, so that she can complete this birthday challenge.

Thank you Jayne, and good luck!

Donate now for Jayne's coracle fundraiser

Follow Jayne's journey...

Monday 17 April - 8am: Upper Ardley Bridge, Upper Arley, Bewdley, DY121XA - Holt Fleet Bridge, Holt Fleet, Worcester, WR6 6NN

Tuesday 18 April: Holt Fleet Bridge - Kempsey, Worcester WR5 3JL

Wednesday 19 April: Kempsey - Lower Lode Inn, Forthampton GL19 4RE

Thursday 20 April: Lower Lode Inn - Gloucester Dock

Friday 21 April: Gloucester Dock - Shepherds Patch Bridge

Jayne Kirkham in a coracle landscape. Credit WWT and Amy Alsop.jpg

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