Paddle for Hope Charity
On Sunday 1st March after a huge 80 km paddle from Royden Island to Preservation Island, members of the Ray White team joined the the Paddle for Hope charity to raise over $34,000 to raise awareness and funds for Rett Syndrome, caused by mutations in the gene MECP2
The team of 6 ranging from 40 to 65 years, headed by Dan Williams, with back-up crew comprising Iron Man, Guy Andrews commenced the 368km trip from Welshpool and began a series of island hops with the longest paddle being approx. 70 kms.
On February 23rd, after almost a year of training, a flotilla of kayaks departed the safe haven of Victoria’s south coast and headed out into the dangerous waters of Bass Strait en route to Tasmania. Crossing Bass Strait is widely regarded as one of the greatest challenges in sea kayaking in Australian Waters.
The team made an island landfall each evening in a south east direction; travelling via Flinders Island to Little Mussell-Roe Bay on the north east coast of Tasmania. Skirts, the kayak version, are used to prevent water entering the kayak.
Team member Paul White, Joint Chairman of Ray White Real Estate, dedicated the paddle to raise awareness and funds for Rett Syndrome, caused by mutations in the gene MECP2. Paul’s much loved granddaughter, Abbey, suffers from Rett; a unique development disorder which begins in early infancy and seen almost exclusively in girls.
A child with Rett is usually born healthy with an early period of normal development followed by a slowing down or stagnation of skills. Abbey (4 yrs) cannot talk and walks with great difficulty, and requires assistance for even the simplest of day-to-day activities such as feeding, dressing and toileting.
There is no known cure for Rett Syndrome, however, researches have been able to totally reverse the syndrome in mice and there is great hope that this will one day be replicated in humans.
Donations to the Rett Society were made by pledging an amount per kilometre covered or a total amount and were also conducted directly to the Rett Society at rettsyndromeaust.org.au.
Tags: Dan Williams, Paul White, Preservation Island, Royden Island, Tasmania
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