A MEMBER of a Powys mountain rescue team completed a 35-mile stretch of a county canal in one day over the bank holiday weekend – on just his paddle board.

Richard Doyle undertook the gruelling challenge on Saturday, August 28, paddling the 35 miles of the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal from Pontymoile, near Pontypool, to Brecon. Richard, who took on the challenge to mark turning 35, started at 4am and arrived in Brecon 16 hours later at 8pm.

The Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team member also decided to take to the water as he wanted to raise money to buy a defibrillator for the team’s incident control vehicle. The defibrillator costs £1,550 with Richard nearing his target, having raised £1,179 on his JustGiving page, although it is thought that once everything is totalled up he has already doubled his tally.

“He completed the 35 miles and arrived at the Brecon canal basin at 8pm, 16 hours after starting,” said a Central Beacons MRT team spokesperson.

“An amazing effort, raising around £3,000 for the team.”

The team had been keeping people up to date on Richard’s progress on their Facebook page, stating he had made a decent start; having covered eight miles by 8am.

On his fundraising page, Richard said: “This year I turn 35. To mark this achievement I have decided to raise funds for Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team.

“We currently need a defibrillator and other equipment on our control vehicle. This vehicle is usually found at the centre of our rescues and is the main vehicle used at events. To have a defibrillator stationed on our control vehicle would mean we can ensure injured casualties get the best possible treatment at the earliest opportunity.

“The defibrillator on its own costs a whopping £1,550. I’m not expecting to raise that amount but with your help we will take a big amount off the cost. The reason we need this particular defibrillator is so it can fit comfortably on our already packed vehicle, then in an emergency we can place it into a backpack quickly and the light weight allows us to take it on the hill.

“If by chance we raise over the £1,550, all additional funds will go towards other equipment that helps us help people in need.”

Ahead of Saturday, he said: “This will be an epic challenge as every inch of the journey will be done by paddle power as there is no current or flow to help.”

The Central Beacons MRT added: “When responding to 999 calls our incident control vehicle is the centre of all our organisation, planning and communications and carries first aid equipment.

“The addition of a compact defibrillator will be vital to our lifesaving work. Richard and the Central Beacons MRT would like to thank everyone who have made a donation.”

There’s still time to donate; visit Richard’s page at https://is.gd/qulYa9.