Marathon Broads pedalo trip raises money in memory of Sonia Alexander

Wymondham Young Farmers group took a pedal around the Broads for charity (Image: Archant)

They are beautiful waterways which have been navigated by plenty of graceful craft over the years.

The humble pedalo may not be among them, but it was the vessel of choice for an unusual 48-hour non-stop trip on the Broads.

A group from Wymondham Young Farmers Club completed the challenge in memory of a former member, Sonia Alexander, who died in 2013 after suffering cystic fibrosis.

Wymondham Young Farmers group took a pedal around the Broads for charity (Image: Archant)

Twenty people took part in the pedalo trek, with two pedalling at all times, and the rest following in a support boat.

The team started at Wroxham at 10am on Saturday morning and headed down the Bure to the mouth of the river Thurne and up to Potter Heigham.

They headed back to South Walsham Broad for the evening. While most of the group camped, two of them – taking it in turns – pedalled round the broad continuously.

Wymondham Young Farmers did a 48 hour pedalothon on the Norfolk Broads. It was to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis Norfolk in memory of Sonia Alexander who was a member of the club. She passed away in 2013 but was a spirited individual who touched everybody that met her. (Image: Archant)

The following morning, they tackled the river Ant, reaching Barton Broad before returning back up the Bure to Salhouse, for the second night. Again, the pedalo was pedalled throughout the night. The following morning, they returned to Wroxham.

It was a total distance of about 75 miles, and the challenge raised more than £500 for the charity Cystic Fibrosis Norfolk.

Club chairman Rob Kernan said: 'Everyone mucked in and did their fair share. We all had a great time and nobody fell in, which was an added bonus.'

Jazz Stowell, an advisory member of the group, said: 'Holidaymakers on the Broads were very generous both with donations and cheers as they passed them by complete with support boat, raft and rowing boat.'

Ms Stowell said pedalling at night was a 'interesting experience', and the boat had navigational lights to light the way.

Donations can still be made by going to the 'Wymondham YFC Pedalo' page on Facebook and following the link to the Virgin Money Giving page. The group has been fundraising for Cystic Fibrosis Norfolk for the past three years.

Sonia Alexander, who was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at just eight weeks old. (Image: Archant)

About Sonia

Sonia Alexander achieved more in her 23 years than many do in a lifetime. Although she had been diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, she went backpacking around New Zealand where she did a bungee jump, despite her lungs being at only 20pc capacity.

She attended Browick Road, Robert Kett Junior and Wymondham High schools and, after leaving school, worked as a prototype administrator at Lotus Cars in Hethel. After her death, in August 2013, her funeral at Wymondham Abbey was attended by 435 people.

•For more information, visit norfolkyfc.org/wymondham.

•Do you have a story about a fundraising event? Email stuart.anderson@archant.co.uk