Three years ago Mandy Foyster ran from her home in Horsham St Faiths, Norfolk to London before running in the London marathon, then last year she cycled through the wind, and heavy snow from Land’s End to John O’Groats before heading south and running once again in the London Marathon. Now for another amazing challenge with Sportlink Running & Fitness supporting her all the way.
Mandy’s Press Release:
On Saturday 5th April at 11am I will be setting off from Horstead Mill in an attempt to row 75 miles around the Norfolk Rivers in an inflatable boat. I will journey up the river Bure, passing through Wroxham , Horning & Acle to Great Yarmouth. Then I will attempt to row across Breydon Water to reach the southern rivers. Next it will be down the river Waveney through Somerleyton to the Waveney River Centre near Lowestoft. I will then turn back and row up to St Olaves and down the New Cut to reach the river Yare at Reedham. Next I will be going past the Cantley sugar beet factory, through Brundall and past Whittlingham Broad. Finally I will row up the river Wensum to complete my challenge in Norwich.
I am doing this challenge to raise funds for the Norfolk Wildlife Trust Cley Marshes Appeal and the local R.S.P.B. It is in memory of my Mother in Law, Doreen Foyster ~ who died 5 years ago. The charities have been chosen by my Father in Law, Roy Foyster because Doreen loved birdlife and the Cley marshes area of Norfolk.
I purchased my boat for £50 about 10 years ago from Roys Toys at Wroxham to take our two sons out in. It was rather holey when I blew it back up but I have patched up the holes, fitted proper rowlocks with the help of youngest son Daniel and purchased some better oars. I have been practicing on the local rivers including, to date, one overnight sleep on the water in frosty weather to practice sleeping in my bivi bag in my boat floating on the river, tied to a tree!
I have been given very helpful advice from the Broads Authority and have purchased a river licence. I have also studied the tide tables and have made plans to reach Gt Yarmouth at low slack water to catch the incoming tide which I hope will make my crossing of Breydon more possible.
I am planning to sleep wild on the river each night, I will be on my own and I expect my challenge to take at least two weeks to complete. Lots of people have asked me if I am mad & am I aware that the river network is tidal with strong currents in places especially on Breydon. I am aware of the enormity of the challenge I am taking on and I do not honestly know if I can do it or not. I am very determined though & prepared to put up with a lot of discomfort and cold & exhaustion in attempting to do this. It feels like a true challenge because I do not know if it is possible, there is a high chance of failure especially if there is bad weather but I will do my very best to complete it in order to raise lots of money for these local charities in memory of a kind and gentle lady.
I am looking forward to seeing lots of wildlife and I will be passing through some R.S.P.B reserves and Norfolk Wildlife Trust Reserves. I will be sending email updates from the river bank via my mobile phone to let people know how I am getting on.
Sponsor forms are available locally in the Horsham St Faith village shop, doctor’s surgery, school & church. Sponsorship can also be sent c/o Mandy Foyster, 17 Abbey Road, Horsham St Faith, NR10 3JN.
I will be doing another trial run on the river on Tuesday 25th March including an overnight sleep on the river again to test out all of my equipment. This could be a useful photo opportunity if the press are interested.
Thank you for your interest ~ Mandy Foyster
Tel: Mob ~ 07757 061016 Home ~ 01603 893 474
Email ~ mfoyster66@gmail.com or stevenfoyster@btinternet.com