A retired seafarer turned priest and a campaigner for women bishops are to kayak together.

85 miles from Bedford to Kings Lynn to raise money for Tibbs Dementia Foundation and the Li Tim-Oi Foundation which supports women around the world.

Patrick Forbes, a former Merchant Navy Radio Officer before he

became a priest, is teaming up with Christina Rees, who was awarded a CBE for services to the Church of England. 

They hit on the idea not just to raise money for causes close to their hearts; they thought the Church of England could use a good news story.

The two are due to set off from Bedford for Kings Lynn on Monday 11th August at 9.00am after receiving a blessing from the Bishop of Bedford, the Right Reverend Richard Atkinson.

Christina’s husband, Chris, and Patrick’s son, Stephen, will be their support team, driving along the route with extra clothing and food. The journey is expected to take six days.

Both Patrick and Christina are writers and broadcasters, as well as priests, and are looking forward to being inspired and challenged by their tandem voyage. Patrick had his first kayak lesson with Canoe Trail of Kempston in January and fell into the Great Ouse while launching a two-seater kayak. “An ice-cold baptism,” he said and added, “I guess kayaking 85 miles at 86 years old isn’t too bad!” Patrick was one of just 117 people to walk for charity through the Channel Tunnel before it opened in 1994.

Christina, Associate Priest at St Peter’s Church Sheringham, has been kayaking for many years and swims year-round in the sea on the North Norfolk coast. She spent her early years on a sailboat with her family exploring the East coast of America, the Caribbean and the Mediterranean Seas. She says, “I love kayaking but I’ve never done such a long journey, especially in a two-seater kayak! If I start running out of steam, I’ll remind myself why I’m doing this - so that more women will have the funds to train for what they feel called to do.”

Donations can be made in support of the Li Tim-Oi Foundation

or Tibbs Dementia Foundation on JustGiving