WOLLONGONG ADVERTISER
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When the Wollongong Advertiser caught up with Chanan Clark on Monday morning he was still in pain.
But the Stanwell Park lifeguard was nevertheless over the moon that the Leukaemia Foundation was at least $12,000 better off thanks to the efforts of a group of hardy paddlers.
On Friday, June 20, Mr Clark led a contingent of paddlers on a marathon two-day ocean journey from Thirroul to Bondi.
When the group arrived in Bondi late on Saturday afternoon they caught up with fellow paddler Andy Owen, who then set off on a paddle to the Sunshine Coast to raise money for a friend with leukaemia.
‘‘After hearing about Andy’s mission, I wanted to do something to help,’’ Mr Clark said.
‘‘I got the word out and had such a great response from the Thirroul Paddlers.
‘‘At the time we arrived and handed over our money, they had raised $15,000.
‘‘We were really proud and very happy to raise $12,000 of that.
‘‘I was also personally very happy to get to shake hands with the great man [Owen], and also Nigel, who Andy is doing the paddle for.
‘‘I was really pleased that I was able to link it all together.’’
Conditions on the first day of the 70km paddle were difficult, but were perfect on day two.
‘‘Someone was definitely thinking of us and looking after us.
‘‘It was nice,’’ Mr Clark said.
‘‘The core group who kept paddling to Cronulla met a few sharks along the way, and whales, and dolphins and seals – it was a privilege for everyone to see.’’
People can continue supporting the Thirroul Paddlers and Andy Owen by donating online at www.bigpaddleleukaemia.com.