Meet the man with Cerebral Palsy canoeing 50 miles across Lancaster Canal

Cerebral Palsy, a lifelong condition affecting mobility and movement, hasn’t and won’t hold ambitious fundraiser Charlie Holland back from defying the barriers of his condition and raising cash for charities up and down the country.

The 57-year-old from Westhead canoed a treacherous 50 mile trek across the Lancaster Canal with an ambitious team of supporters of scout groups and water sports experts. Over five days the determined team endured all weather conditions to assist Charlie in his fundraising mission.

With every muscle in his body acting against him, practical training was a necessity for this challenge of Charlie’s. The local man trained long and hard on the rower in the gym working on his strength and endurance to prepare him for the journey.

Liz Porter, who worked alongside Charlie and saw his resiliance while training, said: “One time I saw Charlie training, he fell whilst getting out of the canoe, grazing his face and arms. Being a nurse, I cleaned his grazes. He just ' got on with it' & laughed at his predicament. He's a real trooper.”

Phil trained for the trip on local reservoirs with a specialist Scout Leader, Phil Haworth of SplashU. Before the adventure, he said: “It's a fantastic challenge for Charlie to do, it will be amazing to see him achieve the 50 miles. He has put in a lot of time and effort and is going to be fantastic.”

Charlie, determined to raise £3,000 for Children In Need, began his inspiring canoe challenge on August 20 and completed it across five days finishing on August 24 canoeing for up to seven hours a day.

The task would be tricky for any physically abled individual, so Charlie really set the bar high for himself as his condition makes exercise and large movements demanding due to the mobility problems Cerebral Palsy brings.

The trip starting at Stainton, near Kendal, saw Charlie and the team paddle relentlessly through Carnforth, Garstang and WoodPlumpton staying the night with local scout groups and ending the 50 mile finish with a barbecue to celebrate.

Inspirational Charlie has said: “I am disabled, I have Cerebral Palsy and have mobility issues, but that will not stop me.

“I have faced many challenges in my life. But now my challenge is for your support. I want you to help me fundraise. My goal is simple, it is to raise money for others. Children and young people are in need in many ways and we can all help. Even if it is just a little, every penny counts.

“Please think of those less fortunate and try to give something to help me raise funds. Anyone who supports me with my challenge, is supporting children and young people who are in need.

Your donations will be going directly to BBC Children In Need and together we can make a difference.”

Contribute to Charlies Challenge through his website.