As part of their post-Common Entrance programme, Ollie Smee (Old Mole Leaver 2019) came in to talk to Year 8 pupils about the challenges that he is undertaking this year to raise money for Sue Ryder and Dementia UK.  During Easter, Ollie and paddling partner Ben completed the Devizes to Westminster International Canoe race, a 125 miles non-stop paddle. This was in preparation for an even bigger challenge to become the youngest crew to ever have completed the legendary Yukon 1000, a race from Whitehorse in Canada to Dawson in Alaska. With 3,000 people signing up for the 30 crew places on the race, Ollie had to go through a gruelling process, just to get the opportunity to race.  

Ollie gave a brilliant presentation to the pupils on what it will take to complete the challenge, including camping on the side of the river, protecting themselves against bear attacks, whilst paddling for 18 hours each day without knowing quite how many days the challenge will take. This provoked a great deal of questions, especially concerning the skills that they have had to learn in preparation for the race. Ollie spoke about the wide range of sports that he was able to have a go at whilst at Shiplake and that kayaking was something that started at Moulsford, but heonly came back to when he was injured playing rugby. 

Ollie was inspiring and passionate, opening the pupils eye to what you can achieve if you put your mind to it. 

We wish Ollie all the best in his endeavour in the Yukon. 

You can support their mission here.