July 25, 200816 yr Thanks to bumbling. July 25, 2008 Rupert Young's Pedalo Challenge - Day 8 http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/dafyd/2894500.jpg Sat up late last night as a man who had heard about my charity trip along the Thames to raise money for the Mood Foundation had walked along the river until he found me to talk about his own battles with depression. He was in his seventies, and listening to his story I was so touched. It reinforced what I am doing. And it's stories like his that keep me going when it's a bit of a struggle out there on the river in this blazing heat. I also met a lock keeper who suffered from depression and we had a great chat about breaking down the stigma mental health has. This trip is not just about the fundraising - I hope that in some way it might help make depression an easier subject for people to talk about openly. I'm very excited as well because I've been asked to lecture schools on mental health issues. This is fantastic. Am in Sonning and heading just around the corner to Wargrave with Graham Seed from the Archers radio show tomorrow, leaving early and stopping to camp in Wargrave tomorrow evening. Am a bit worried about storms for Friday - hope Sebastian Faulks can bail out a boat!!! Rupert Edited July 25, 200816 yr by chrysalis
July 25, 200816 yr July 25, 2008 Rupert Young's Pedalo Challenge - Day 9 http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/dafyd/2894502.jpg A weird thing has happened to me - I feel a bit strange having people on board! The boat's become home, so it's almost like I feel protective over it. I wonder if Ellen MacArthur felt like this?! And the support car left today. I decided that I want to do the last week on my own, so I've stocked up with supplies (and a new tent!) However, I'd better get used to having people around again as I've got some great celebrity shipmates about to join me. Tomorrow I've got Bond author Sebastian Faulkes. He'll be joining me at about 11am when I set off. Need to look best tomorrow too because I've got some TV crews coming down. Dermott O'Leary has confirmed for Monday lunchtime. He'll be joining me in Windsor. Should be fun! And Graham Seed (from The Archers) helped out today - a great guy to have on board as he grew up in the area we were going through, so I got a local history lesson along the way! It was a really quick one today too. The Sonning to Wargrave stretch only took 3 hours! Got 14 miles to do tomorrow and 16 miles on Sunday though, so it's good to have a break if I can! I'm in Wargrave...half way now...and exactly on schedule! Woohoo! Nice to have some support peddling now. Was a really good, though freakily hot day! Oh, there was one hairy moment - had a close call with a massive motor boat, as we headed under a bridge in Sonning. I considered abandoning ship! I had right of way, but there was no way he was going to stop...I was quite prepared to squeeze my way through, but I'd have come off much worse! Rupert x Edited July 25, 200816 yr by chrysalis
July 25, 200816 yr Author Thanks chrysalis. Like his brother Rupert's writing is very entertaining. :) Pleased to read he has been invited to give talks in schools. This & the challenge should really help his self esteem. Edited July 25, 200816 yr by truly talented
July 27, 200816 yr I don't know how to do links, but Griff on D has posted one to a long article in to-day's Telegraph about Rupert and his illness. Can anyone bring it over please.
July 27, 200816 yr Author I don't know how to do links, but Griff on D has posted one to a long article in to-day's Telegraph about Rupert and his illness. Can anyone bring it over please. Here you go chrysalis. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics...7s-success.html Just shows we never know what is going on behind the scenes. :cry: So pleased Rupert has been able to turn his life around & is now putting all his energies into helping others. Edited July 27, 200816 yr by truly talented
July 27, 200816 yr Thanks TT. This the pic from the paper. Turned his life around: Rupert Young who now earns his living as a dog-walker. http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/dafyd/Rupert.jpg Edited July 27, 200816 yr by chrysalis
July 27, 200816 yr Thanks girls - just been reading this over the road. I often wondered how Rupert was coping being in Will's shadow. Just never imagined quite how :cry: Perhaps people who criticise Will for being a diva and grumpy/moody etc. may now have a little insight into what was going on in his private life. :( So pleased it's all turned around for Rupert and his family - it could have been so very different. Edited July 27, 200816 yr by munchkin
July 27, 200816 yr Author Thanks girls - just been reading this over the road. I often wondered how Rupert was coping being in Will's shadow. Just never imagined quite how :cry: Perhaps people who criticise Will for being a diva and grumpy/moody etc. may now have a little insight into what was going on in his private life. :( So pleased it's all turned around for Rupert and his family - it could have been so very different. I so agree some are too quick to point the finger. :(
July 29, 200816 yr More:- Rupert Young's Pedalo Challenge - day 10 http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/dafyd/2903958.jpg Had a great day with my latest celebrity shipmate, author Sebastian Faulks. We had a really good laugh. But his stamina surprised me for a man who plays a lot of tennis - I had to keep prodding him to make him go faster! And he struggled with the steering! Picked up loads of support and donations through Henley too, so thank you to everyone, especially the crew of a boat called Matilda 3 - thank you for the donation! And if you want to make a donation, just go to my Just Giving page And I had the most bizarre experience of the trip so far today. I saw this guy in the middle of the river, stripped to his shorts, with something taped to his head - it turned out to be a CD he had made...with £15 on the inside. He had a mate with him and they wanted me to pass it on to someone 'in the know', (I did explain to them that I work for a charity, but I had a listen to their stuff anyway and it wasn't bad!) Then out of nowhere, they brought out 2 guitars and started playing some more of their stuff for me...for a good half an hour. It was one way to keep entertained out there on the river. Thanks guys! I feel a bit like I'm on the home straight now. I keep thinking how I have to meet Dermot O'Leary at Windsor Bridge - Monday at 1pm. It's what I'm focusing on, and it seems to be working, because I'm still on schedule. My journey for the weekend will be... Saturday - Marlow to Maidenhead Sun - Maidenhead to Windsor Take a look at my route map for more details. Tonight though, I'm roughing it! Having had Bear Grylls on board last week and watching stuff like Ray Mears' show, I reckon I can do all that 'being one with nature' stuff, so instead of putting the tent up, I've make a makeshift home, in a secret woods location just outside Marlow. Well, it can't be that hard can it?!!! I'll let you know on Monday! Rupert x http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/dafyd/2903969.jpg Rupert Young's Pedalo Challenge - Day 12 So I've made it to day 12. Although the way my leg muscles are feeling it's like it's week 12! But today flew by as I was in the excellent company of my latest celebrity guest, Mr Dermot O'Leary. What a nice chap to spend a day on the river with. Not sure how relaxing an experience he found it though, it's hard work on a hot day. Download the latest podcast to hear how we got on. We saw lots of sights today, whether it was peddling past the Queen's private Windsor gardens and past the place where the Magna Carta was signed or just looking at all those lovely swallows, kingfishers and dragonflies buzzing about on the river. And there were plenty of mad dogs and Englishmen soaking up the summer sun too, which is always fun. Oh, I mustn't forget to say hi and thanks to Kris from Kris Cruisers for letting me moor and for picking Dermot up after he left the boat. He makes a great cup of tea too! Rupert x There are some little pics attached, but I'll put those up later. Edited July 29, 200816 yr by chrysalis
July 29, 200816 yr Author Thanks chrysalis Wish I lived nearer London to cher him on past the finish line. Bet both he & Will end up in the river. :lol:
July 29, 200816 yr Thanks Chrysalis - he's doing so well. Get on that bike William - you are going to need the work-out. Sounds like it's been really hard going.
July 29, 200816 yr Thanks chrysalis Wish I lived nearer London to cher him on past the finish line. Bet both he & Will end up in the river. :lol: I used to live in West Kent. It's at times like this I wish I still did.
July 29, 200816 yr Author I used to live in West Kent. It's at times like this I wish I still did. Think you might have had a few house guests. :lol:
July 30, 200816 yr From D:- Rupert Young's Pedalo Challenge - Day 13 Well, I'm nearly there, folks! With the help of all your kind donations, we've raised a massive £42,000 already! That's only £8,000 off my £50k target - with three days to spare! Help me reach the magic £50k - if you can spare a few pennies to help me reach the total, then please Donate now! It's all in a very good cause - the Mood Foundation, the charity I set up to help support people with depression. Want to know more? Click here for more info about the organisation and the people it helps. Got in a bit of a tight spot last night - the rain was a bit heavy and it nearly sank the pedalo! Cue lots of frantic bailing out of water! But the Magic listeners have really lifted my spirits today - you've all been amazing. So many supporters out on the river banks. I also had a little help from my friend Cosima who helped power through the afternoon. And tomorrow promises to be very busy. And I'll have lots of company from my latest celebrity shipmates. Neil Fox will join me at Hampton Court at lunchtime, then I'm picking up the lovely Rachel Stevens from Kingston at around 2pm. I feel like some sort of celebrity chauffeur. A very slow chauffeur! Then it's off to Teddington Locks by mid afternoon. See you there! Rupert x http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/dafyd/2908190.jpg Edited July 30, 200816 yr by chrysalis
July 30, 200816 yr Cheers Chrysalis - almost there. Hope those going to cheer them on the last leg get lots of pix. :dance:
August 1, 200816 yr Thanks to Bumbling. From BBC Berskshire... Your stories You are in: Berkshire > People > Your stories > Pedalo power http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/dafyd/rupertyoung_203_203x152.jpg Rupert Young (left) in Caversham Pedalo power By Linda Serck Hungerford's Rupert Young, twin brother of singer Will, hopes to raise £50,000 by travelling 133 miles along the Thames - in a pedalo. BBC Berkshire caught up with the 29-year-old at Whitchurch to find out why. Will Young's twin brother is on a mission, and it involves the River Thames and an old pedalo he bought for £20. Rupert Young is raising funds for his Mood Foundation, which supports sufferers of major depression, self-harm and addiction, and hopes to reach his £50,000 when he pedals into Westminster on Saturday 2 August 2008. He set off from Lechlade in Gloucestershire for his 133-mile trip on Friday 18 July 2008. http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/dafyd/rupertyoung_route_470x173.jpg Rupert's route He told BBC Radio Berkshire en route at Whitchurch: "I've done about 21 or 22 locks and I do about 10 to 13 miles a day. I'm up early - 7am in the water and then out the water at 7pm, so I'm doing well but it’s very tiring." Hungerford-based Rupert is also enlisting the help of several of his celeb friends to help him tread the water. Survival expert Bear Grylls helped him kick off his watery expedition, and on his journey he'll be joined by Sebastian Faulks, who's also the patron of Mood, as well as Rachel Stevens, Amanda Lamb, Dermot O' Leary and, on the last leg, his brother Will. That is, of course, if the pedalo survives. "I put it (pedalo) into a search engine and there was one pedalo for sale in England, and it was full of holes, it was sinking and at the bottom of some yacht marina. "So I rang them and said 'can I buy it'. It was £20 and I got a garage to fix it up, give it a new skin and respray it. It's now patched up and in working order." And how is the 29-year-old getting on? "It's a lot slower than I thought," he told BBC Radio Berkshire on Tuesday 22 July, "I was quite relaxed when I went into this and didn't do too much training. But he soon discovered it wasn't to be a leisurely ride. "I have to pedal the whole time if I'm going to move or I just head off into the bank!" Bear Grylls gave Rupert what at first seemed like a good survival tip - his secret recipe for Nettle Soup. "Which actually was just nettles and water". As well as celebrities, beneficiaries of the charity are also boarding the pedalo to help Rupert out - "the more important people if you would." His foundation aims to help people who needed the same treatment Rupert himself benefited from. "I had my own battle with mental health issues," he says, " with addiction, self harm and major depression. "I felt like I was able to access treatment because I was financially sound. "It basically provides the same treatment that I was able to access but to people who aren't as fortunate as I was." Edited August 1, 200816 yr by chrysalis
August 1, 200816 yr Thanks to *Lucy* on D. Rupert Young's Pedalo Challenge - Day 14 Today was a tough day. I know I've been moaning about having to slap on the sunscreen and drink all that water - but it sure beats peddling in a downpour. Did Teddington to Chiswick today and it rained the whole flippin' time. Thought I was going to sink I was so happy to get through the day! Just writing this while I dry out a bit. It's been a tough couple of weeks, and the money I'm raising for the Mood Foundation is going to be hard won but so, so worth it. And as well as the money I'm hoping to raise awareness about depression and mental illness, and from the conversations I've had with people I've met along the way I'm proud to say that I've done that in some way. The folk at Magic have been brilliant too, all those chats with Foxy have helped spread the message - and have really lifted my mood too! Leaving Chiswick tomorrow afternoon at 4.30pm. Then to Putney, then just have the home straight to do on Saturday. At last, I can say the end is in sight! It's just me on my own tomorrow, so it'll be great to welcome Will on board on Saturday as we race to the finishing line at Pimlico. I've just checked the weather and it looks like this rain's going to clear up too, so I've got a lot to look forward to in the next couple of days. Need to get some sleep now! http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/dafyd/2916219.jpg Rupert x Edited August 1, 200816 yr by chrysalis
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