My coracle fundraiser – John’s story

After attending a weekend course in Ironbridge, Shropshire, John built his first ever coracle over a Friday and Saturday, and then raced it on the River Wye on the Sunday. John will be taking on his very own extraordinary coracle fundraiser for Dorothy House's Big Avon Paddle to raise money for palliative and end of life care.

Not only did John share his excitement for paddling to the finish line at this much-loved event, but he touches on why taking part in The Big Avon Paddle for Dorothy House has special importance for him and his family.

Dorothy House supported John's family during his mother's cancer diagnosis

“My mother died of cancer back in 1990. A while ago. Unfortunately, she had liver cancer, and she died, about six weeks after being diagnosed. Things were very different in those days, 30 years ago. Now, things are much more positive. We have better diagnosis. Far better treatment.

But the one thing that my mother benefited from at that time was the support of Dorothy House. I was living abroad with two young children, with one more on the way, and I couldn't come back as much I was as I would have liked. But Dorothy House were there for my mother. 

Although science has advanced, medicine has advanced, there is still a clear need for emotional support. And that's what Dorothy House did excellently. 

She died at home. And I was very grateful that Dorothy House were able to support my father at that time.

Raising funds for end of life care

"I think it's important that Dorothy House are funded and they're able to be with people when needed, to support them in the very different ways that they do support. Some people are able to get by with friends and family and other people, perhaps not.

Taking part in The Big Avon Paddle is an opportunity to give something back, to raise some funds and to prove that not only can I make a coracle, but I can paddle it over four and a half miles."

A paddle down memory lane

"It's going to be fun. And there is one aspect of this which means a lot to me. When I was growing up, my mother used to take me in the summer holidays down to Newbridge boating station when that was still there, and we would hire a boat and we would row along the river to Salford and have a picnic.

So in one sense, this is coming full circle. My mother is not with us anymore, but I'm taking the same path. I'm hoping it's going to be a success."

Sign up to The Big Avon Paddle!

Jump onboard with John's coracle fundraiser and sign up to The Big Avon paddle on Saturday 14th September.