Three men with a boat take on Hadrian’s Wall challenge
Three Men in a Boat is a much-loved period novel set on the River Thames, but three Sunderland men have decided to take it a step further by carrying a boat the length of Hardrian’s Wall in aid of a disabled children’s charity.
Shaun Armbruster, 32, Danny Bell, 28, and Ryan Gallagher, 34, will be carrying a five-metre canoe the length of the iconic landmark, from Bowness-on-Solway, Cumbria, to Wallsend, to raise money for Grace House, in Southwick.
The challenge, which is due to take place in August, was borne out of lockdown by engineer Shaun Armbruster, who had been struggling with his mental health.
Hesaid:“I’dbeensuffering from depression for several yearsandthiswasonlyheightened during the pandemic. Last year, as restrictions were eased,myself,DannyandRyan decidedtowalkHadrian’sWall in 48 hours.
"We camped and I found the whole experience really gave me a focus, helped my mental health and gave me a new lease of life. It gave me time to reflect and I wanted to do a challenge which would givesomethingbacktothecity and what better cause than helpingdisabledchildrenand their families.”
On the idea to carry a canoe, which was borrowed from outdoor activity centre AdventureSunderland,inRoker, Ryan said: “Having done the Hadrian’s Wall walk with Shaun we wanted to up the
challenge and decided why not carry a canoe?
"Ithasneverbeendonebeforeandseeingthreemenrunning with a boat should stand out. Hopefully, people will take more notice and be willing to donate to us on-route andviaourfund-raisingpage.”
Ryan, who works at vehicle parts supplier Marelli, in Sunderland, was inspired to take part by his own family situation.
He said: “I’ve two autistic children and while we have quite a lot of support, a lot of
families don’t and need some respite. That is why I wanted to do something to support Grace House and disabled children and their families in Sunderland.”
Danny,whoworksforSunderland City Council, added: “I’ve an aunt who has a disability and so I’ve personal experience of what it’s like for families and what better way to help than supporting disabled families and their children.
"We’d love to raise £1,900 and we decided on this
amount to mark the anniversary of the wall.”
The Echo met the trio during their first training run, taking in Grace House in the process. Further training sessions are planned around the riverside and Penshaw Hill, to prepare for the gruelling challengeofhaulingthecanoe across the Pennines.
Ryansaid:“Weplantohave twopeoplecarryingthecanoe at any-one-time with a third person on rotation, carrying any equipment and supplies. We’ve booked hotels but I’m
not sure what time we will get there and how much sleep we will get.”
Grace House was established to “enrich the lives” of disabledchildrenandprovide support to their families.
The charity’s Corporate Fundraiser, Laura Jane Forbes, said: “If they manage to raise that amount it will be incredible for us. We rely a lot on fund-raising and this will helpuswithallourservicesincluding expanding our counselling and increasing our
trips for the children.”