Lancaster grandad paddles his way through Lake District for charity
and live on Freeview channel 276
Mark Houghton is used to being on water as he’s lived on a narrowboat on Lancaster Canal for the past five years.
Paddling the Lake District is just the latest in a series of what Mark describes as bonkers fundraising challenges he’s taken on during his fifties.
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Hide Ad“Every so often I need to do something that pushes me a bit,” said Mark, 58.
His latest challenge was suggested by a friend after Mark had completed all the 214 Wainwrights in the Lakes, ‘just for fun.’
“I wanted to see the Lakes from a different angle,” Mark said.
Since June, he has paddled 21 tarns with another 120 to go. He aims to complete them by next summer, fitting the challenge around his day job as a handyman and he’s also developing a photography business.
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Hide AdMark paddles a packraft, a small inflatable boat, and claims paddling is the easiest part of the challenge.
More difficult is dealing with all the equipment he uses to film himself for his YouTube channel.
The challenge is raising money for the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM).
Mark’s most gruelling previous challenge was a 450-mile solo charity walk for the Alzheimer’s Society completed in memory of his dad, Barrie Houghton, who died from the disease aged 66.
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Hide AdThe trek took Mark from his then home in France to his father’s grave in Scotforth.
“It was the loss of my dad which set me off wanting to make a difference and that’s what motivates me,” he said. “I couldn’t save my dad but I can help charities that support others and I enjoy doing things that give me a buzz.”
Another challenge he completed successfully was being the first person to run the Morecambe Bay Cycleway from Walney Island to Glasson Dock, 81 miles in three days.
“I must admit my challenges are pretty extreme,” said Mark, a father and grandad.
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Hide AdOne of Mark’s most extreme acts of kindness was donating a kidney to a complete stranger five years ago.
Once he’s completed his latest challenge, Mark has plenty more ideas including paddling the Caledonian Canal and cycling East to West across America.
To sponsor Mark, visit his JustGiving page at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/mark-houghton13