Eleanor and George raised £450 for Help for Heroes in Norfolk taking part in the 2009 Superhero Challenge which seemed a fitting tribute as it was Armed Forces Day that day too.
He believes that as a result of the generosity of the sponsors the event raised c£5000 for the Quidenham Childrens Hospice.
George said:
"The Norfolk Superhero challenge is a great event which celebrates Norfolk's Nelson heritage and great outdoors in a spirit of adventure: a great antidote to excessive modern health and safety.
"Being Armed Forces day we wanted to do our bit to support Help for Heroes who do such great work looking after our brave service personnel who have given so much for us all."
- Started 3 years ago by Mark Lapping and Simon Wilson Stephens. The event begun with 13 teams in 2007 and now has grown to a 40 teams (80 people)
- Organised by Sarah Green and Jessica Lapping
- Small, local and very personal event with fantastic atmosphere and genuine true amateur spirit.
- Based at Burnham Overy Staithe, Norfolk. The event takes participants through the creeks at Overy, around some of North Norfolk's most beautiful scenery and along Holkham's spectacular beach.
- Event consists of: 1 mile swim up the creek from Gun Hill, 4 mile kayak through Overy and Norton creeks, 40 mile bike ride and a 8 mile run along to Holkham and back to Burnham Overy Staithe via the beach with the final mile across the muddy marshes.
Prizes:
- the Lord Nelson Trophy for the fastest male team,
- the Dame Edna Shield for the fastest mixed team and
- the Lady Hamilton Cup for the fastest all female team.
We also have 2 new trophies this year:
- the Local Norfolk Heroes Trophy donated and created by Big Blue Sky, Wells for the fastest Local team, and
- the Centenarian Cup donated by Rosalind English for the fastest team with a combined age over 100!
There were 3 teams this year with a combined age of over 100.
The event does not force competitors to raise money but the organisers try and make some money through the event and this year chose to donate any surplus to EACH- figures not yet finalised but hopefully near £5000
We had a lot of support from local businesses who offered equipment or prizes to help cover costs of the event.
These include:
- Fat Birds Don't Fly in Hunstanton
- Big Blue Sky, Wells
- Paragon Print and PAkaging and Paragon Flexibles
- Lyngs Country Goods, Great Massingham
- Elgoods Brewery, Norwich City
- Tesco, Fakenham
- Adnams Wine, Holkham
- The Hoste Arms, Burnham Market
- The Dabbling Duck, Great Massingham
- Barsbys Produce
- Preva Produce
- The Crown, Rudham
- Mr and Mrs Edwards
- Hallgarten Wine
- Annas of Burnham Market
- Gun Hill, Holt and Burnham Market
- Ketts Country Cottages, Fakenham
- Edward Parker Wines
- Country Fairs Office
The event would not be possible without the huge support of many people locally both on land and sea who help to marshal the event including the Wensum Canoe Club who were a new addition this year and invaluable with safety in the swim.
Photo: George and his wife Eleanor go the extra mile to support Help for Heroes
