Andy Beardmore is now in month 6 of his epic 14,000km canoe expedition to raise vital funds and awareness for Simon Says CBS. We caught up with him for a quick Q&A:
Q. Andy, you are 6 months into your expedition now, what has been the most challenging part of your journey so far?
A. The most challenging part of the journey was the Danube through Nemzeti National Park, and most of Hungary. The temperatures were in excess of 42℃ and I had to wear anti mosquito clothing every evening and morning until 10am. This was dangerous due to a possibility of heat exhaustion and dehydration. The floods had increased the breeding grounds for mosquitoes and they were prolific.
Q. You have met some wonderful people on your travels. Would you like to give a special mention to any of them?
A. I’d like to give a special mention to Zdenëk Slouka and Tommaso Appodia. Zdenëk was the only person I saw descending the Danube during the flooding. He was from the Czech Republic paddling an inflatable! Tommaso I met in Bulgaria. He had biked from his home in Italy. Both were enormous inspirations to me.
Q. Where are you most looking forward to visiting over the next part of your expedition?
A. There are three places I am looking forward to visiting that are novel to me. Istanbul looks incredible. Greece in its entirety, the coastline looks very welcoming. Venice of course which I think a winter visit will be interesting and quieter!
Q. To all those who have donated to your fundraiser, what does their support mean?
A. I’d like to thank everyone who either donated or shared information about Simon Says, all donations, no matter how small will contribute significantly towards supporting bereaved children and young people in Hampshire. The donations received inspire me to endure conditions both difficult and occasionally physically exhausting, it’s a morale boost to see donations arrive.
To donate please visit Andy Beardmore is fundraising for Simon Says (justgiving.com)
