Sisters take on epic canoe challenge after stroke shock

A DALE duo are hoping to hit a £1,000 fundraising target as they prepare to canoe from Birmingham to Oxford to raise money for a charity close to their heart.
Tori Goodall and her younger sister, Emily, are taking to the waters of the Grand Union Canal and the Oxford Canal in aid of The Stroke Association next month.
Last summer Tori’s father, Robert Swinbank of Streatlam Park, suffered a severe stroke aged just 55. Thankfully, Mr Swinbank made a full recovery and now the family want to give something back to the charity to acknowledge the support they offer.
Tori Goodall said: “It was a huge shock. He is incredibly fit and active.
“Luckily he made a full recovery having received amazing treatment at Durham Hospital.
“The work the charity does to support families and people who have suffered strokes is amazing and we both felt we would like to try and do our bit to fundraise for The Stroke Association.”
While Tori works as head falconer and runs Walworth Castle Birds of Prey with her partner David Toms, Emily is currently studying for a PhD in science at the University of Birmingham.
Neither of the sisters, who are originally from Bowes, have ever canoed before. Tori said: “Emily lives next to the canal and that’s what had set the wheels in motion.
“We thought it would be great to do something different which would allow us to spend some time together but also be a real challenge.”
Although they had considered covering the full 115 miles from Birmingham to London, they settled on 89 miles from Birmingham to Oxford which also includes 115 locks.
Accompanied by Tori’s two-year-old Patterdale terrier, Scrappy, the pair aim to complete the challenge in a week which will begin on Saturday, April 22.
They will be carrying all of their equipment in a three-man canoe and camping along the way.
They are training hard for the event and got together last month to do a practice run on Skipton Canal.
Ms Goodall said: “We are both using rowing machines, running three days a week and Emily is also climbing to help her upper body strength.
“Scrappy has been chasing everything that moves and practising her sailor’s salute.
“Neither of us has ever canoed or done anything for charity before. I’ve also never camped without gin.”
To support Tori and Emily visit www.justgiving.com
/fundraising/Tori-EmilyGoodall.