Guernsey endurance rowers take on 60-mile Caledonian Canal challenge for MUG

Two Guernsey endurance rowers will take on their latest physical challenge this September, rowing 60 miles along Scotland’s Caledonian Canal in a single push to raise £60,000 for Male Uprising Guernsey (MUG).

World-record holders Simon Johns and James Coquelin, who have previously raised tens of thousands of pounds for local charities through endurance challenges, will set off along the Caledonian Canal from Fort William on 17 September. They will aim to complete the route to Inverness in a single push, navigating the canal’s locks as they make their way across Scotland.

Along the route, Simon and James will face 13 points where they will need to take their boat out of the water, carry it around the locks and find a safe point to re-enter the canal.

Among the most demanding sections will be Neptune’s Staircase, a flight of eight consecutive locks, and Fort Augustus, with a further five. The coast-to-coast route also includes a 22-mile row across Loch Ness, while the shortest stretch is just half a mile across Loch Oich.

Simon and James will travel to Scotland on 15 September and scout the route by car, identifying safe entry and exit points before beginning the challenge on 17 September.

A support vehicle will follow their progress by road and be available in the event of an emergency. Conditions in the Great Glen, through which the canal runs, can change rapidly, adding another unpredictable element to an already demanding challenge.

The cause is a personal one for Simon and James, who have both been affected by cancer.

“We know where this challenge starts and where it ends. Everything in between is genuinely unknown,” said Simon.

“While what we’re taking on cannot compare with the reality of facing cancer, that uncertainty has made us think about the people we’re raising money for. A cancer diagnosis brings so many uncertainties, which is why having the right specialist support matters so much.”

The pair’s £60,000 fundraising target will contribute towards the costs of having a specialist cancer nurse on the island, providing support for men affected by cancer in Guernsey and helping them access the care and treatment they need.

“The MUG Nurses Bursary is a dedicated funding initiative from MUG, designed to support the continuing education and professional development of local cancer nurses, with the ultimate aim of benefiting patients and the wider Guernsey community. We are underwriting £6,000 per year as part of a rolling five-year funding commitment, with our ambition to secure a minimum five-year commitment and, ideally, extend this to 10 years. The bursary helps cover advanced cancer treatment training, specialist study days, conferences and practical skills sessions, removing the financial barrier that can prevent local nurses from travelling off-island to access essential oncology training.

"By investing in our local nursing team, we are helping ensure that the latest knowledge, skills and best practice can be brought back to Guernsey and put directly into practice for the benefit of patients at the Bulstrode Oncology Unit and across the island. This initiative is about investing in our nurses, strengthening local cancer care and ultimately improving outcomes for the local community.” Tony Tostevin - council member at MUG

The challenge, named the MUG Monster Row, is headline-sponsored by Praxis, the Guernsey-headquartered professional services firm where Simon works as Group Head of Finance.

Robert Fearis, CEO at Praxis, said: “Simon and James are taking on an extraordinary physical and mental challenge in support of an important cause. As a Guernsey business, we are proud to support their ambition and, importantly, help MUG strengthen the specialist support available to men affected by cancer in our community.

“We hope the wider community will get behind Simon, James and MUG as they take on this remarkable feat.”

As part of the fundraising effort, local businesses can sponsor individual lock stages along the route, for £2,000, and there are 13 in total.

Other sponsors include Jon Ravenscroft, Ravenscroft Capital and Infinity Construction.

Members of the public can support Simon and James and help them towards their £60,000 target by donating through JustGiving.

To donate or find out more, visit MUG Monster Row Powered by Praxis - JustGiving

Pictured (L-R): Simon Johns, Tony Tostevin and James Coquelin.