Widower paddles, pedals and walks (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Widower paddles, pedals and walks

9:55am Friday 25th April 2008

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FORMER Marlborough Grammar School pupil Neil Jordan is planning a unique journey the length of Britain in memory of his late wife, Linda.

Mrs Jordan, who was a teacher at Wootton Rivers village school in the 1970s, lost her battle with cancer in June last year.

Mr Jordan, now 57, was living at Oare when they met. They were married for 32 years.

Their adult sons, Richard and Stuart, will be joining their father for part of his Ride-Stride-Glide marathon.

Mr Jordan, who took early retirement as distribution and logistics director with Debenhams, lives in Wantage. He had successful treatment for prostate cancer in 2004.

He sets off from John O'Groats in Scotland on May 4 and will spend three months reaching Land's End in Cornwall.

Countless people have made the trip from John O'Groats to Land's End by foot or bike, or even by horse or farm tractor.

What makes Mr Jordan's trip unique is that he plans to cycle, walk and canoe, on rivers and sea.

Mr Jordan hopes to raise £30,000 for the Sobell House Hospice at the Churchill Hospital in Oxfordshire, where his wife died, and for Cancer Research UK.

His epic journey will include detours to climb the highest peaks in Scotland, England and Wales, Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon respectively.

He will canoe along the Caledonian Canal in Scotland, hike long distance paths and finish by kayaking around the coast to Land's End.

Mr Jordan said he thought up the idea of a ride, stride glide while walking the coastal footpath from St Ives to Penzance following his wife's death.

Mr Jordan, whose brother Alan will be his one-man back up team on the journey, has already raised £7,000.

To sponsor him, visit www.ridestrideglide.com.

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