A Dorchester man, aged 68, is kayaking 5,400 miles solo across America to support the ASF’s young people in Dorset.

A 68-year-old former ambulance worker from Dorchester is taking on an extraordinary challenge, kayaking more than 5,400 miles across the USA and Canada, completely solo, to raise funds for disadvantaged young people in Dorset.

Steve Chard, a Royal Navy veteran and retired Emergency Care Assistant, is currently attempting to complete the “Great Loop” — one of the world’s longest and most demanding paddling routes — in an 18-foot sea kayak, carrying everything he needs to survive.

After already covering an incredible 3,400 miles through major rivers including the Mississippi, Ohio and Tennessee, Steve is now preparing for the final and most challenging leg of his journey.

Restarting from Florida at the end of March, he will paddle north along the US East Coast, navigating busy waterways and unpredictable conditions, before heading into Canada — with a planned finish back in Hastings, Ontario in August.

Steve is fundraising for the Andrew Simpson Foundation, a UK charity that helps disadvantaged children and young people access sailing and watersports. The charity runs not-for-profit centres in Birmingham, Reading, Portland and Portsmouth, and work with partnering charities in Portsmouth and Plymouth, supporting young people.

The ASF know that sailing and watersports provide a powerful mechanism to change the lives of young people and the benefits of time on the water should be accessible to everyone. We’re committed to removing barriers and developing and delivering programmes so that all young people and communities can benefit from the opportunities that we offer.

Steve said:
“This has been one of the toughest things I’ve ever done, but knowing it’s helping young people back home keeps me going every single day.”

Supporters can follow Steve’s journey live via social media and tracking apps, and donations are being encouraged to help transform more young lives through the power of water.

https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/stevesgreatloopkayakingexpedition