A fundraiser from Cumbria has paddle boarded over 36 miles in just eight hours across the Irish Sea to raise funds to help people affected by diabetes.
Adrian Angell, who hails from the Cumbrian coast but now lives in Cincinnati completed the challenge on May 9, after months of preparation.
Adrian, 57, who grew up in Seascale, set off from the Point of Ayre, the most northern point on the Isle of Man, at 8am. He said: “I started out with the current which helped, but the hardest part was for five miles from miles 10 to 15, the wind was coming from the south, so I was getting hit by waves from one side, and I thought if it stayed like that the whole way it would be very tough, that was the mentally toughest part.”
The chemical engineer, who has lived in the USA since 1995, paddled through thick fog for some of the journey, relying on his support boat to guide him through safely. Towards the end of the crossing the wind was calm and Adrian landed in Seascale in beautiful sunny weather at just after 4pm.
He was cheered over the finish line at Seascale by a group of local supporters and his brother Tim, who’d travelled up from Norfolk to support him.
Adrian, a chemical engineer who has lived in the USA since 1995, has raised thousands of pounds for Diabetes UK since he started fundraising in 2018 when he crossed the English Channel by paddleboard. He’s been raising money for the charity after a close family member with type 1 diabetes suggested it to him.
Clare Howarth, head of the North of England at Diabetes UK said: "A huge thank you to Adrian for taking on this incredible challenge and supporting the millions of people affected by diabetes across the UK.
“We’re incredibly grateful for your hard work and dedication. Without the help of generous supporters like you, we simply would not be able to offer support to the thousands of people with diabetes contacting our helpline, to campaign to keep people with diabetes safe in the workplace, or to invest in vital research – taking us a step closer to our vision of a world where diabetes can do no harm.”
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