Anyone up for a challenge?

[Lensflare]

I am a trustee of a small but hard working charity. We are all volunteers, there is no paid admin, all funds are channelled into doing the good work, which is much in demand. More than we can actually cope with. The charity offers a progressive pathway to recovery, rather than a 'nice day out' and it is that difference which makes the programme so effective. It has been running in the USA for 7 or 8 years now and has been scientifically and medically proven to:
Reduce Hyper Vigilance behaviour by 77%
Reduce Avoidance behaviour by 63%
Reduce Overall Stress by 78%

These figures are not just on the day, but lasting effect and why it is so effective in rehabilitating mentally and physically injured personnell, not just military personnell either, but obviously they do make up a large proportion of the service users (I actually use the term 'members', because I feel it is more inclusive and sounds like they are part of a team).

The website is here: www.heroesonthewater-uk.org

What we need is to generate some publicity, mostly to help us get STAFF. We need more qualified volunteers who can run sessions. At the moment I am the only person involved who is qualified to deliver the on water sessions. We also need to raise funds, constantly and as I have said we are very careful with the money we do receive, we have been sponsored for kit, it is running costs of the sessions that the money goes to pay for.

Would aphotographer be willing to do some photography for us? It would involve getting out on the water at one of the sessions, possibly on a kayak, or it might be possible to obtain the use of a RIB and driver for a day (in Plymouth). I have sessions in Plymouth each month, another in Staffordshire or Northamptonshire (Daventry), The Lake District, then there is North Yorkshire and mid Wales. I have my work cut out - a Plymouth session takes 4 days out of my week to put on that one day, but the rewards come in other ways, the results are overwhelming. Anyone who saw the Invictus Games might have seen one of our early users, Luke Sinnott, win silver in the 800m and gold in the 400m. Here he is on his first day out of Headley Court with us, the start of his route to recovery having trodden on a land mine:













I can't be on the water with the guys properly AND do decent photography. These were just taken on a compact in a housing, so if anything happened I don't have ot worry about it and can get to the incident to manage it in shortest possible time.

Anyone up for the challenge? Remember, we provide all this on a VOLUNTARY BASIS, so would expect the same of anyone willing to help.

If you have read this far, THANK YOU and I look forward to hearing from some of you in due course.
Simon Everett.

 

[Nod]

Simon, what sort of kit (focal length of lenses) is required. I have a Nikon 1AW which delivers decent results but only have the 11-27.5mm zoom. This combination does have a 2.7x crop factor (IIRC) so has a similar FoV to a 30-75mm lens on a 35mm or FF body. I used to be a competent kayaker BUT that was 35 or so years ago so am a little rusty (not to mention creaky round the back!) these days. I'm Exeter based so Plymouth isn't too far away. Happy to offer my services at the above fee!!!

Is this likely to be in the Sound or on a reservoir/river? I'm also away from 8th of June for a couple of weeks and again in early September (again, 2 weeks) but otherwise pretty flexible. Weekdays are generally better for me but weekends are also possible with a bit of notice.

 

[Lensflare]

This Saturday at Mountbatten, 09.30. I can provide full kayaking kit - drysuit (need to know what sort of size/build you are. Kayak, drysuit, pfd (float!) paddle, is all you will need. That would be great if you can. Bring something for your feet, unless you are sort of size 8 - 9. Let me know. TA VERY MUCH
sorry - out on The Sound. 16 knots SW on Saturday - but if the vets can do it, so can you! I have amputees coming.

 

[Nod]

b****r! With more notice, could do it but need to be here this Saturday (or, more accurately, at the Mother-in-law's.)
If there's another weekend in the future, let me know a couple of weeks in advance and I'll clear my calendar. I'm 6'1" with a long body (relatively short legs!) and a rather too large (40" at a squeeze...) waist.
Hope to be able to help in the future.

 

[big soft moose]

I'd also be happy to help out at Plymouth (but again unfortunately can't do this Saturday as i'm working) - I suspect a Rib would be preferable for photographic purposes as it would be difficult to paddle and take pictures at the same time (i'd probably be using a 50D and 70-300 with a water proof cover)

Incidentally in terms of getting more sessions going have you thought about partnering with a watersports company who might be willing to donate x sessions for the publicity ? - I have one such provider as a tenant (in Devon although admittedly not Plymouth) and would be happy to put you in touch / help sound them out.. though obviously with no guarantees at this stage... pm me if you'd that's something you'd like to explore

 

[mickledore]

Hi. I'm in Barcelona at present but live in North West near Liverpool. Would be interested if you need someone in Lakes or North Yorkshire. Back home end of next week. My sort of trip out. If you need me get in touch.

 

[Lensflare]

Thanks for the respnses guys. Much appreciated. I am loading and sorting gear still (yes, i know it is 23.00, but this stuff takes time, and there is the paperwork involved to do too). I am driving down tomorrow with the trailer in tow. Then Saturday is on the water day. Friday is vets Friday at Endeavour.

The watersports company / facility is a greta, thanks - we have used Upper Tamar Lake in the past. Disabled facilities can be useful, but this group are all pretty mobile, so more flexible in where they can go. Plymouth trips I can get a RIB - weekend of 11th June, there is the Plymouth Classic, a kayak fishing competition. I hope to field two teams of vets, ne from last year entering as H4H, and the other from this year as Team HOW. So that might be a good oppportuity, hopefully better weather than forecast for Saturday too.

Mickledore - Lakes would be brilliant. Can't get a boat for you, but the kayaking is pretty minimal, it is the combination of kayak and rod. We have had kayak instructors volunteer in the past - and left after 20 minutes because the kayaking wasn't testing enough for them, basically they got bored, and left - leaving me with guys on the water on my own. We do need commitment. The guys need the commitment, the last thing they need is to feel abandoned. Your gear will be safe enough on the lake. I take my D3s and 24-70 on one, 70-200 on the other, but I can't if I have to manage the group. If there was an incident you can imagine at the enquiry: what were you doing at the time? Taking pictures your Honour! Yes, that would go down well...on Esthwaite there would be a boat and possibly someone to drive it for you. Or at least I can ask.