A LATE night in an Amsterdam bar has led to two men taking on the toughest canoe race in the world but they know whatever pains they suffer it will not be as tough as the challenges facing another friend.

Brendan Clark, 40, from Devizes and Nathan Amery, 37, from Surrey will take part in the Devizes to Westminster Canoe race on the Easter weekend to raise money for the Stroke Association.

Their friend Russell suffered a stroke at the age of 35 and he still suffers from dyspraxia and asphasia which affects all aspects of communications including reading, writing and speaking.

Mr Clark said: "I couldn’t believe a stroke could happen to someone so young. I always assumed strokes only happened to old people. Seeing the struggle my best mate has been through since having a stroke has motivated me to want to do as much as I can to help others.

“My friend Nathan will be joining me on the challenge. We will be setting off from Devizes via the Kennet and Avon canal, on a 125 mile journey in a two man kayak on Easter Saturday.

"Along the way we'll be tackling 77 portages, and spending up to 30 hours sat a few feet apart as we attempt to complete the journey to Westminster Bridge. The finish time is not important to us, we just want to focus on raising as much money as possible to recognise the strength and character of our friend, and raise money for a very worthy cause.”

Mr Amery said: "Neither of us are kayakers. In fact, it was at 3am in a bar in Amsterdam last year that we decided to enter the race, famously the longest non-stop canoe race in the world at which point neither of us had ever been in a canoe/kayak.

"Some initial training saw us frequently get wet and able to paddle only a few miles but steadily juggling around work and family we've managed to build up to about 35 miles in dark, sun, snow, rain and thick ice as we've continued through the winter."

He said that he has known Rusell since they were boys of 11 and the stroke happened unexpected, unannounced, whilst at work and three weeks after his wedding day. He said: "Russell was as fit and healthy a guy as you'd ever meet."

Becky Beard, Community and Events Fundraising Manager at the Stroke Association, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to Nathan and Brendan for choosing to support the Stroke Association. Every five minutes someone in the UK has a stroke. The money raised by Nathan and Brendan will go towards helping more stroke survivors and their families to rebuild their lives.”

To sponsor them visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/nathanandbrendandw