‘Oarsome’ Martin to paddle for charity in challenge
Ex-marine takes on Lake Windermere in new adventure for 63-year-old...
A FORMER Royal Marine corporal who is paralysed from the chest down is to take part in a major challenge today.
Martin Kettrick, 63, of Cheadle, has been a paraplegic for more than 40 years after a mountaineering accident in the Lake District while serving as a young corporal in the Royal Marines in 1980.
During the past four decades, Martin has been a member of Blythe Bridge and District Rotary Club and has completed many fundraising challenges for various local, national, and international causes, raising numerous amounts of funds for them with tremendous help and support from fellow Rotarians.
Now he is seeking support in his latest challenge to paddle across Lake Windermere.
Martin said: “The many years of being confined to a wheelchair have taken their toll on my shoulders and I’ve had to undergo surgery to repair torn tendons in both shoulders and rotator cuff operations.
“This has somewhat curtailed my desire to get on with what I enjoy best – ‘pushing myself to the limit.’
“But I have never given up hope of doing something to challenge myself again and have always held a desire to kayak, although being paralysed does make this incredibly difficult given my extremely poor balance and total loss of use of my legs and stomach muscles.
“I’ve tried over the years to find a canoe club or centre who could assist me but never succeeded, until just prior to the covid lockdown I was lucky to find ‘The Greendoor Project,’ a charity in Stoke-on-trent that offers accessible outdoor activities for all. They gave me the opportunity to try out kayaking for the first time since my service in the Royal Marines.
“They have some speciallyadapted kayaks for people who would otherwise struggle to enjoy the sense of freedom and achievement in being able to paddle independently and safely on even some challenging waters. The Greendoor Project also offer other activities including archery, cycling, walking tours and guides around our area and many more.
“It is for everyone, no matter what your physical capabilities are – it’s about inclusivity with a can-do attitude.
“Although it’s been difficult to pursue my newfound pleasure during lockdown, with some hard work and great help and support from friends in the Stoke Royal Marines Association and Greendoor, I’ve set myself a challenge to paddle the longest lake in England, Lake Windermere, which is just under 12 miles long.
“I will be joined by three other former Royal Marines, Brian Johnson who is 76 years old and has overcome cancer, Ian North who is 60 years old and is still recovering from the removal of a brain tumour recently, and Kev Sellar, a friend of mine from my early days in the Marines with 41 Commando in Malta, who has recently had a knee operation.
“I also want to dedicate this challenge to a very dear and old friend of mine – ‘Big Al,’ Alan Barlow – who sadly passed away just before the Covid pandemic arrived – he was an absolute rock to me in probably my most difficult and darkest moments after my accident.
“He helped encourage me to get my motivation back and regain my own self esteem.
“We are the Wounded Warriors and we are raising money for The Greendoor Project, The Royal Marines Association Royal Marines Charity – all the funds raised will be divided 75 per cent to The Greendoor Project and 25 per cent to the Royal Marines Charity.”
You can donate at uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ Martinkettrick.