Canoe trip to raise money for charity

FORMER Waitaki Boys’ High School teacher Russell Leader will soon fly halfway around the world and paddle hundreds of kilometres down a river to raise money for charity.

Mr Leader, along with friends Ben Macgregor and Michael Burgess, plans to canoe the length of the Rhine River in Europe to raise money for the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

The charity is a cause close to Mr Leader’s heart.

Last year, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer himself.

‘‘Having experienced this disease myself, and having fortunately succeeded in defeating it, I have become very aware of all aspects of this common but deadly phenomenon.’’

It had always been an ambition of his to row the Rhine River and after overcoming his battle with cancer he decided to use the dream trip as an opportunity to help others.

‘‘I thought it was a good idea.’’

It was hoped the men could raise a substantial amount of money for the foundation.

Originally, the fundraising goal had been set at $1000, but since achieving that target, the goal had been bumped to $5000.

Mr Leader was confident the fundraising effort would be a success.

The canoeists will begin at the source of the river in Switzerland, and canoe downstream through France, Germany and finally to Rotterdam, in the Netherlands.

The trip would start in late July and finish in early August.

‘‘I’m pretty excited for it,’’ Mr Leader said.