Students Embark on 1,125-Mile Kayaking Challenge for Grandparents' Charities
Two adventurous students are preparing to take on an extraordinary kayaking challenge, aiming to raise thousands of pounds for palliative care and dementia charities in memory of their beloved grandparents. Oliver Smee, 20, from Henley-on-Thames, and Benjamin Watkins, 20, from Bourne End, Buckinghamshire, describe their grandparents as "hugely influential people in their lives" and are channeling their grief into a monumental physical effort.
Two Epic Races for a Noble Cause
The duo will first tackle the 125-mile Devizes to Westminster race in April, a classic endurance event that has long been on their bucket list. Following this, they will embark on the Yukon 1000 in July—a staggering 1,000-mile ultramarathon starting in Whitehorse, Canada, following the Yukon River, and ending at Dalton Bridge in Alaska. This latter challenge is widely considered the longest paddle race in the world, bringing their total distance to an awe-inspiring 1,125 miles.
Oliver explains, "We planned to do the Devizes to Westminster in 2025, but owing to a few injuries, we put it off until 2026. During this time, we both lost a grandparent, so we decided to turn our passion into races in their memory."
Personal Connections Driving the Fundraising
Oliver's fundraising efforts are dedicated to Sue Ryder, a charity that provided crucial palliative care to his grandparents. His grandmother, Bridget, was cared for at the Sue Ryder Palliative Care Hub South Oxfordshire in September 2025, while his grandfather, Peter, received expert and compassionate end-of-life support from the charity in late 2025.
"I don't think the Sue Ryder Nurses could have possibly done any more for both my grandparents and for our family," Oliver shares. "We are all hugely appreciative of the work that everyone puts in for the care of those in need, and I am looking forward to giving back to such an incredible charity."
Ben, on the other hand, is raising money for Race Against Dementia (RAD) to support his grandmother, who is living with dementia, and in memory of his grandfather, who died from cancer last year. He expresses deep emotion about the cause, stating, "The thought of dementia sends me into a flood of differing emotions... But the one that always comes through more than any other... 'Never again'. Never again do I want to hear, know, or learn of another family ripped apart by the disease. If anyone can beat Dementia, Race Against Dementia can."
Grueling Training Regimen
In preparation for these summer events, Oliver and Ben have committed to a rigorous training schedule, spending four days a week on the water and two days in the gym. Ben describes the intensity, "Training is brutal. English winter, -4 degrees, and weeks consisting of over 100km. The water is freezing, but your arms are burning. Each early morning is a mini marathon, with the struggle to get up and get on the water becoming ever more real as the week progresses and the miles accumulate."
Despite the hardships, their motivation remains unwavering. "But we want to honour our grandparents in the only way we know how. Hard work and a finish line," Ben adds. "There's no harder challenge than what we’re attempting - 1,125 impossible miles. With each mile, we show ourselves and the world what our grandparents meant to us."
Aiming for a £30,000 Fundraising Goal
The pair have set an ambitious target of raising £30,000 in their grandparents' memory and are already making significant progress toward this goal. Oliver looks forward to the entire experience, despite anticipating pain and challenges both physically and mentally. "Being able to look back on what we have achieved will bring me immense satisfaction and gratitude for everyone who has helped us," he says. "Plus, all the miles we take are for our grandparents and our way of remembering the impact they have had on us."
Ben humorously notes his anticipation, "I am looking forward to seeing the sweet, sweet finish line!" Their dedication and spirit are a testament to the powerful legacy left by their grandparents, driving them through one of the most demanding athletic endeavors imaginable.
