AN AVID paddleboarder and his paddling newbie brother will set off from Lechlade at the crack of dawn to take on an exciting challenge next weekend. 

Adrian Angell, aged 58, has raised more than £10,000 for Diabetes UK over the last few years by braving several bold paddling expeditions, and has convinced his brother Tim, aged 60, to join him on his latest adventure.

The ambitious pair have pledged to paddle 100 miles along the River Thames on a tandem paddleboard in just two days.

They will begin their journey in Lechlade at 5am on Saturday morning, May 11 and plan to paddle along the non-tidal Thames passing Oxford, Reading and Windsor Castle, while navigating 35 locks along the way. 

The brothers are hoping to reach Romney Lock in Windsor by Sunday evening, May 12.

This is Adrian’s seventh challenge for Diabetes UK and over the past six years his fundraising has taken him nearly 500 miles by paddleboard in lakes, rivers and seas in and around England, Ireland, Scotland, France and America.

Adrian said: “It’s going to be so great to have my brother alongside me for this challenge. 

"He’s a complete beginner and going from zero to 100 miles is no mean feat, but I have complete faith in him that he can do this! 

"We have family and friends who live with diabetes so we see how hard life can be managing the condition.

"We hope that our fundraising can provide support and hope to as many people as possible.”

Tim added: “Over the past six years I’ve seen Adrian take on some amazing challenges to raise money for Diabetes UK. 

"I’ve always supported him from the sidelines but this time – and I don’t quite know how it happened – he’s persuaded me to take part.

"I’m an active runner and mountaineer so have a reasonable level of fitness already, but I’ll definitely be having more lessons in the lead-up.

"It’s a daunting challenge but I’m looking forward to spending time with my brother doing something for a really important cause.”

To donate visit https://shorturl.at/eBU47