Friends to canoe from coast to coast in memory of much-loved mate Jamie Blagg

Group will paddle across Scotland to raise funds in memory of Jamie Blagg, who died from a stomach infection days after being told leukaemia was in remission

View gallery

A group of determined friends are set to canoe from coast to coast in memory of a much-loved mate.

The 13 men will be paddling across Scotland in September in memory of Jamie Blagg, 19, who died from a stomach infection just days after being told his leukaemia was in remission.

His friends and family have held a series of fundraising events since his tragic death in June 2005 and are now set for their biggest charity challenge yet.

They will head 60 miles across the Caledonian Canal in two-man canoes in the space of just four days.

As they cross Loch Dochfour, Loch Ness, Loch Oich, and Loch Lochy, they will face a series of challenges from 6ft waves and strong currents to blistered hands and aching muscles.

Their efforts will raise money for the RAF Association (RAFA) as Jamie, from Longlands, Middlesbrough, was training as a movements operator at RAF Brize Norton when he fell ill.

Jamie’s cousin, Wayne Urwin, from Pallister Park, said: “We have been doing these events for years now and each year the challenge gets bigger and better.

“I haven’t heard of anyone else from around here who has canoed across Scotland so we’re preparing as much as we can. We know it’s going to be hard but we’ll do it for Jamie.”

Jamie’s friends have previously cycled the coast-to-coast in England and completed the National Three Peaks Challenge. They have already raised £12,500 for the RAFA.

The fund has been boosted by an annual Jamie Blagg Memorial Cricket Day at the Old Vic, off Ormesby Road, and charity nights at North Ormesby Working Men’s Club.

The group recently had their first training session on the River Tees, as they paddled the nine-mile stretch from Yarm to the Tees Barrage, in Stockton.

The team are now looking for sponsors for their Scotland challenge and raffle prizes for the next charity night on July 4.

One of Jamie’s closest friends, Chris Middleton, who lives in Coulby Newham, said: “We need all the support we can get as we want to raise as much as possible in Jamie’s memory.

“Every little bit will help and the lads will be able to go to Scotland knowing they are making a difference.”

For more information, to donate equipment or raffle prizes, or to offer support, contact Wayne at wiu1975@hotmail.co.uk or call 07810 205686.

Sponsor the coast-to-coast team here .