FROM Cricklade to Sheerness, two fundraisers are canoeing the length of the Thames in just 14 days,

Mark Hakansson and Sam McConnell are halfway through the 220 mile challenge to raise money for water charity Just a Drop's safe water and sanitation projects.

Starting in Cricklade on Saturday, June 2, the duo have so far successfully navigated through Lechlade, Swindon, Reading, Oxford and more as they look to reach Sheerness on Saturday.

Mark, a photographer, and Sam, an expedition leader, have canoed for a gruelling 6-8 hours a day, covering 15 miles at a time.

It isn't the pairs first challenge, previously canoeing from Kendal in the Lake District to Camden in London in 2011 raising £2,175 for Just a Drop's safe water projects.

This time they are aiming to raise £2,500, which will provide safe drinking water to communities around the world.

Having already secured sponsorship from Stena (UK) Ltd who will donate £1,500, the pair have already raised more than £2,100 towards their target.

Mark Hakansson said: "I’ve spent most of my career in travel photography, capturing a lot of the world’s most luxurious hotels.

"In contrast, I’ve been made aware of the difficulty in getting clean, safe drinking water in some poorer, remote areas of Africa by Just a Drop and wanted to fundraise for this good cause."

Fiona Jeffery OBE, Chairman and Founder of Just a Drop added: "Best of luck and a huge thank you to Mark and Sam for taking on the challenge of canoeing the length of the Thames for Just a Drop!

" Our work in bringing safe water and sanitation to communities is only made possible thanks to public donations and fundraising activities such as the ‘Source to Sea’ challenge, so a really big thank you to Mark and Sam.

"Your fundraising efforts will completely transform lives with safe water.’

You can make a donation to https://bit.ly/2Mh9QLa

Follow the rest of their journey on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CanoeingTheThames