A group of oar-some women, from the Monmouth and Chepstow area have canoed almost 100 miles of the River Wye to raise money for St David's Hospice Care.

The nine women, nurses from Monnow Vale Hospital in Monmouth and from the St David's Hospice in Newport, left their starting point of Welsh Bicknor on 3rd September and the Beacon caught up with the team as they passed through Monmouth three days later (pictured).

The women, who all had little to no experience of canoeing, were supplied with the equipment for their trip by Monmouth Canoe Centre. Also receiving plenty of support from friends and family, the group were given food each by day by loved ones and despite sleeping rough for some of the time, the women were pleased to be staying in Wye Valley Hotel in Tintern on Thursday night (6th September).

"This has been great," said one of the canoeists Pauline Batty.

"The first night was beautiful by the campfire, but very very cold. It was lovely to stay at the hotel and have a bath."

The women travelled an average distance of 20 miles each day to reach their final goal.

For full story see Beacon 12/09/12