Rescue Ratty
Warwickshire Wildlife Trust's Reserve
Manager, Ian Jelley, and his friend Darren Howland, decided to row
the entire length of the River Nene from its source in Northampton
all the way to the sea, raising funds for the nationally threatened
water vole. Ian explained why they were undertaking the challenge,
"Warwickshire Wildlife Trust are working with partnership
organisations to try and enhance the habitat in the last
few remaining colonies of water voles in the area. Water
voles are now one of the UK's most threatened mammals having
suffered severe declines in recent decades as a result of
predation by the non native North American Mink and habitat
loss and fragmentation. The money raised will go towards
supporting this vital work, and will hopefully ensure the
prevention of extinction of this charismatic species."
Ian and Darren set off from Northampton
Boat Club on the evening of Tuesday July 13th. Ian kept in touch
via Twitter. "Day 1 on rowin challenge. Set off at 7.30pm, went
through 4 locks. Pitched tent at 11pm. Tired."
Day 2 brought new challenges. "Eventful
mornin. Got attacked by a swan, now stuck at doddington lock whilst
the ea repair it." Later on that day, "Just left wellingborouh.
Stopped to eat lunch now and refuel". By evening, Ian's comments
read, "July 14th: End of day 2 on ian & dazza's boatin
adventure. Just outside thrapston. Hardest thing i've ever
done."
The tired theme continued to run through
Ian's texts the next day. "July 15th: End of day 3 on ian and
dazza's boatin challenge. Very tired. 4 locks from peterboro".
By Friday a further mishap occured,
balanced by views of the local wildlife, "July 16th: Today we
mostly lost our lock (key) which set us back about an hour but we
did see a red kite". However the tiredness theme of Ian's texts
returned in the evening bulletin, "July 16th: End of day 4.
Tiredness taken to a new level. Past peterboro now, last leg of the
journey tomorrow. The end is in sight."
The mood lightened on Saturday as the end
was in sight, "July 17th: Waiting at the tidal lock for the tide to
change at 1pm so we can complete the last leg of our journey."
Saturday evening, 38 locks and nearly 100 miles away from the start
in Northampton, Ian sent his final text, "July 17th at 7.40pm:
Today the river nene was officially defeated and ratty was rescued!
Thanks to all those who sponsored us!"
Ian and
Darren's adventure may be over, but ratty still needs your help.
You can still sponsor Ian and Darren via their Just Giving page:
www.justgiving.com/rescueratty