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Pedal power raises money for charity
Back on dry land. Ian and Charlie Martin after their 35km trip down the River Witham
A FATHER-DAUGHTER team from Coningsby recently completed a trip by river from Lincoln to Boston and back to raise money for charity.
It sounds simple enough, only it was completed in a homemade pedalo-powered boat.
Ian and Charlene (Charlie) Martin, from Coningsby, have raised more than £1,000 for the Dogs Trust after covering 35km from Brayford Wharf, Lincoln, to Boston and back.
Charlie, a student at Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School, Horncastle, has given money to the Dogs Trust since she was six-years-old.
Now 15-years-old, she decided to take on a student challenge and her and Ian came up with the idea of using a pedalo for their fundraiser.
Ian said: “Charlie said she wanted to raise money for charity, and between us we thought about rowing along the river.
“I thought we could have tried something different so we eventually came up with the idea of using a pedalo.
“I saw an old stripped-out speed boat outside someone’s house and offered to buy it off them.
“It only cost £50, and we then turned it into the pedalo.”
It took four days for the Martins to make their way down the river and the boat travelled at a speed of roughly 3km/h.
“It was hard work,” Ian said. “But for a great cause and worth it in the end.”
Charlie added: “My legs and back were killing me but I kept my mouth shut, listened to the radio, and sang along to my favourite songs when they played them.
“If dad asked, I said I was fine, pedalled a little faster and sang a little louder.”
Ian pointed out that their journey was not without its difficulties.
“After covering 30km we ran into difficulties,” he said. “We had to take the boat out and do some repairs, but we got it fixed and managed to finish.
The boat was then sold on eBay to bring the grand total up to £1,025.
Charlie said: “I am now looking forward to visiting the Dogs Trust in Leeds, where my sponsored dog Millie lives, so I can hand over the money we raised.”
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Weather for Horncastle
Thursday 23 May 2013
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 4 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: North west
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Light showers
Temperature: 5 C to 10 C
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