GENEROUS amateur rowers will paddle 26 miles down the River Stour to raise money for charity .

Kevin Pearce, of Manningtree, and Adam Morris, of Colchester, decided to tackle the Sudbury-to-sea challenge as a way of raising money for local causes.

The pair must paddle from the Rare Cow restaurant in Sudbury, through Bures and Stratford St Mary, ending in Cattawade – finishing in just 10 hours.

Kevin said: “We have known about the route for a while and thought it would be a great way to raise some money for some local causes.

“Gordon Hardy, from Outdoor Hire Centres, in Sudbury, has been advising us over it and to do it in 10 hours will be a killer.”

Gordon said: “Completing the whole distance is usually something that’s under taken over two days at a leisurely, but tiring pace.

“To achieve their target of 10 hours, these practised but still amateur paddlers will need to paddle nearly 50 per cent faster than an average person would – for the entire distance.

“This would be a feat for a regular marathon runner.

“While Adam and Kev are practising their technique and getting to know the river, they’re still average Joes in terms of fitness and experience – they have taken on a big one.”

The two friends will take on the challenge on July 14 and will be raising money for Colchester Mind and Colchester InStep. To donate, go to crowdfunding.justgiving.com/sudburytothesea.