Photo credit: Carys Pickering (Facebook)

Nathan Loewenstein, veterinary surgeon at Shropshire Farm Vets, and Ben Huntington paddled 115 miles of the River Severn in just two days over the August bank holiday weekend, inspired by the continuing impact of long COVID. 

The journey began in Crewe Green, Shropshire and ended in Gloucester, Gloucestershire, in a two-man Canadian canoe. 

• Day 1: Crewe Green to north of Arley, 64 miles, 16hrs
• Day 2: North of Arley to Deerhurst, 40 miles, 12hrs
• Day 3: Deerhurst to Gloucester Docks, 11 miles, 2hrs 45mins

An online donation page has been set up for the challenge, which aims to raise £10,000 for the family of Nathan’s cousin, Dani Loewenstein, who has suffered many long-term effects from COVID-19 including multiple organ damage. It has also greatly affected his vision and mobility and he is unable to continue his job as a mountain guide in the Canadian Rocky Mountains,

You can read their interview with Vet Times here and you can view updates from their journey via their Facebook page.