SISTERS from Ryedale completed an epic canoe voyage across Scotland to honour their late friend.
Gena Douglas, 62, and Linda Pepper, 59, who grew up in Wilton, travelled by canoe from Fort William to Inverness on September 2.
As reported by the Gazette and Herald in August, the sisters, planned the 60-mile voyage over six days with five nights of wild camping in memory of their friend Wendy Howarth.
Wendy Howarth, also from Wilton, died on March 21, 2020, after a long battle with multiple sclerosis (MS).
Gena described Wendy as a “real tear about, a real farmer.”
Wendy was married to her husband, Sam, who was with her throughout her illness.
She had three children, Sally, Jack, and Rosie, and was diagnosed with the condition after Jack’s birth.
The lifelong condition affects the central nervous system.
Through the trip, the sisters raised £3615.89 for Leuchie House National Respite Centre, near North Berwick, where Wendy would go for respite breaks.
The centre provides vital respite breaks for up to 300 families each year from throughout the UK affected by neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis, MND, Parkinson’s and the effects of stroke.
Gena credited the support to those who supported Wendy during her MS, and also to the the local rural community.
“Everyone just looks out for each other,” she said.
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Of the canoeing trip, Gena said: “It was brilliant. I loved it. We had a brilliant time.”
Despite being relatively new to canoeing, Gena said they got on well.
She added that some parts of the trip were ‘a bit choppy,’ but once the pair had found their stride it was plain sailing, with the instructors confident in the sisters' abilities.
They took the waters in their stride, navigating the lochs of Scotland with a final 30-mile straight on a calm Loch Ness.
“It was just a dream,” added Gena.
After the trip, Gena and Linda travelled to Leuchie House in North Berwick on November 10 to present the centre with the cheque.
Of the visit to Leuchie House, Gena said: “(It was) tremendous. They’ve done so much since I took Wendy up.”
She said there have been new additions at the centre to help those living with neurological conditions live independently.
These include voice activated systems to close curtains, and turn on TVs and radios.
There are also sinks and cupboards that lower to make them more accessible.
In addition, Leuchie now own a fully accessible self-catering cottage in Dirleton, East Lothian, which sleeps groups of up to six people with 50 per cent funding available.
For more information or to book a break at Leuchie, phone 01620 892864 or email: enquiries@leuchiehouse.org.uk.
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