TWENTY two Kelly College students will this weekend head to Devizes in Wiltshire to compete in the ultimate canoeing challenge — the Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Marathon.

This is an annual event in the Kelly calendar and this year, eleven teams will pit their skill, physical and mental stamina and determination against one of the toughest endurance events in the world — the 125 mile race known as the 'Canoeist's Everest'.

Last year saw great success, despite the extremely warm weather making conditions particularly challenging, with Kelly teams winning the junior schools' competition and coming second overall in the junior event.

This year's team has been training since September 2011, with many never having paddled before.

Roger Huish has been training the crews, during the long winter months, which has often meant early starts of 5am in order to fit training in with their busy school lives. The team will complete the course over four days and, as always, they will be supported by many staff and parents who will help to keep their spirits up and cater for their needs along the way.

The team are: Sophie Ashley, Frazer Bayliss, Christian Brown, Max Byrne, Josh Carnell, Scott Cockerill, Emma Collingwood, Harry Coulton, Elissa Cundy, Emma Davidson, Bliss Ellacott, Seb Engel, Ellie Glossop, Leah Grant, Oli Hancox, Charlie Huish, Tom Houran, Henry Kisby, Aidan Mason, Ellen Riis-White, Natalia Sparrow and Chantal Whitfield and they are all raising money for charities including Save the Children and Little People.