Emily King is planning to raise £2,500 for the IW Youth Trust by circumnavigating the Isle of Wight by paddleboard and bike before running a marathon – all in 3 consecutive days in May.
Emily is one of the UK’s longest-standing and most successful paddleboard athletes and has nearly a decade of experience in racing stand up paddleboards at the elite level in the UK and internationally. She is current the GBSUP Champion and enjoys finding the time to participate in many adventures and sharing her love of all things outdoors with others.
Emily’s 200km King’s Challenge is set to take place between 3rd and 11th May, whenever the weather is favourable.
Emily found refuge in paddleboarding after a vicious dog attack left her with PTSD and agoraphobia. She says:
“I felt that I had to get away, I had to go and find me. Having a massive fear of being outside and being near dogs, I was recommended surfing because dogs don’t really go out into the waves.”
When surfing didn’t quite click, she moved on to paddleboarding. Emily has said:
“It absolutely challenged me. I finally had something that connected with me – it was mindful, it pushed the post-traumatic stress back from me, and I was living in the moment.”
Emily is a passionate supporter of mental health and wellbeing and has chosen to use this challenge to help raise vital funds for Isle of Wight Youth Trust – the Island’s largest, local charity that has been providing youth mental health and wellbeing services for over 35 years. Emily says:
“It’s massively important to have support and know that you can reach out and that there are people that will help you whatever your situation. This is my way of giving back: the Island has been really kind to me over the years.”
The Isle of Wight Youth Trust provides vital mental health and wellbeing counselling to young Islanders aged 4-25. If you would like to support Emily’s challenge, you can donate here.
