As part of a charity challenge, the crew of HMS Monmouth set off from Hay on Wye, heading for Chepstow in kayaks, stopping off in their adopted home of Monmouth for a civic reception. The mayor Jane Gunter and deputy mayor Graham Pritchard joined Lt Cdr Laura Hodgson (Marine Engineer Officer/ Senior Officer of HMS Monmouth), and members of the town's Royal Naval Association and greeted the three kayaks as they pulled into a mooring just below Monnow Bridge. Exhausted after paddling against the tide, the crew members stopped and took the opportunity for some refreshment and chatted with the reception committee before heading off back down the river towards Chepstow. Many administrative obstacles have meant that the Offa;s Dyke Walkers and the Plymouth-Monmouth Cyclists had to abandon their part in the Charity Challenge planned so it was up to the kayakers to raise some money for charity.