News

Updated P4R profile

Celebrate P4R's 5th Year in Sri Lanka
Giving something back to the community of Arugam Bay

We are Paddle4Relief and were formed shortly after the 2004 Asian Tsunami. We are a local charity in Devon who, every year since the disaster, hold a sponsored paddle and form a circle of remembrance, at Saunton Beach, for the forgotten victims. The monies raised go towards empowering the local community of Arugam Bay, a village on the south east coast of Sri Lanka, regularly visited by P4R Founder, Tim Tanton.

Since 2004, P4R and the local community of N. Devon have raised nearly 20k to rejuvenate this coastal community, their projects range from building schools, tea shops, repairing roofs, creating outdoor activities to regain the confidence of the children, also, more recently a marathon of well projects.

The next 12 months is dedicated to completing 10 well projects, these wells will provide the families of Arugam Bay with fresh, safe drinking water. Last month Arugam Bay saw 2 completed wells which gave water to 4  families, along with local people engaging on a further 3 water projects to be completed by July.

Help celebrate P4R 5th Anniversary by coming down to Saunton Beach on the 13th June from 10am, either participating in the infamous paddle at 1pm from Saunton to Croyde and back or relax in the sun and enjoy the BBQ and live music on the beach from 3pm!

P4R are pleased to announce the tremendously gifted Jim Jones who will be headlining, he has everyone mesmerised with some beautifully emotional tunes and cracked vocals. Jim is a regular performer for P4R, an absolute gent with a heart of gold. Be there with him on the beach, with his guitar, lyrics, vocals and acoustic style that will silence any chit chat with his emotive confessionals and keening ballads.

Up next will be the performance of a raw, bluesy sound,  who have a rustic edge.!  Brixton Pieces are led by the exceptionally talented and unique vocals of another true gentleman, Robin Courtnadge. They are elusive with haunting energy on stage, always taking you away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life! These artists are never shy at giving so much at the P4R music gigs.

A newcomer to the charity is Julie Yount. Jules is a beautiful vocalist having won prestige in both the folk & jazz community. We are honoured to have her perform her first P4R beach gig! With a voice like Natalie Merchant, this indie musician's influences range from Ani Difranco & Tori Amos to Blind Melon & Alice in Chains. She’ll sing to your soul & challenge your heart to feel!

Jules will be joined by the powerful and passionate Stuart Wills. With his kinetic performances and emotionally charged songs Stuart  has earned a well-deserved reputation as a compelling singer/songwriter.

Please join us in remembering the forgotten victims of the 2004 Tsunami and enjoy a great day out at Saunton Beach listening to the very best of Devon musicians. For more information on the Paddle please visit www.paddle4relief.co.uk.

And please don't forget that after the activities on the beach we have an Evening Music Gig  @ The Mariners, Braunton from 8pm with The Devil Delta Blues Band, Jonny Black and The Sonix.

Paddle4Relief 2008 not dampened!

A selection of images of the Paddle along with a full description of events.

The dismal 2008 summer weather did little to dampen the spirits of the paddle4relief team and their supporters. Although many were put off venturing into the sea because of the conditions there were around 50 paddlers willing to brave the elements, Together with raffle ticket, tom bola, donations and of course the sponsorship money we have so far raised £2,500 from the day, with more sponsorship money to follow it has proved a very successful event.


The paddle event, the fourth since the 2004 Asian Tsunami, was dogged by deteriorating conditions, with strengthening winds and swell. Despite this at 12:30 the Paddlers gathered by the waters edge for the safety talk and pre-paddle group photo. This done water craft (and people) of all shapes, sizes, ages and abilities took to the water for the arduous paddle. A mention must go out to Luke Challace who made the paddle in fancy dress And rose over £200 in sponsorship, well done.

Due to the conditions, once again, the decision was made on safety grounds to Paddle to Downend point and not all the way to Croyde as planned, this said the paddle to the point was still a challenge for most, and a great achievement for those who participated.

Once the determined paddlers reached the point they were joined by a very inquisitive seal that joined in the FUN!!! (still awaiting his sponsor money). And by this point it was clear that the conditions and the increasing rip would make performing the commemorative circle unsafe so it was about turn and back to the beach for everyone.( apart from mr.seal).

A huge thank you must go out to Barrie Charlesworth and the safety boat crews, who once again played a vital role and skillfully assisted paddlers in completing their task, and provided a reassuring presence throughout the paddle.

Meanwhile back up the beach, sheltered from the strengthening south westerly winds, the Paddlers friends, family and supporters were busy parting with their pennies on the Tom bola stall, and purchasing tickets for the legendry Paddle4Relief raffle. Others were getting their free ear check up provided by Rob Shaddick who again ran a surfers ear clinic at the event.

All Paddlers safely back on the beach a memorial circle was formed and Paddle4Relief founder Tim Tanton led the group into a minutes silence with a few emotionally charged words remembering those who were lost and those who are still suffering since the 2004 Tsunami.

By this point the smells of BBQ were everywhere so the dash up the beach was swift. Paddlers were greeted By ‘Stormin Norman’ his wife Hayley and the Hotdoggers team who had prepared a BBQ feast for the weary water men, women, and their die hard supporters on the beach. Big thanks guys, it was an impressive spread, And a big thanks to Bod who very generously supplied all the food.

Once everyone was well fed, watered and dried off, due to the worsening weather the afternoons/evenings entertainment was relocated to ‘The Aggi’ in Braunton, where Julian the landlord, having already completed the arduous paddle, welcomed all the team and their supporters.

What Followed was an amazing evening with a top quality line up of musical talent and raffle prizes which proved to be a winning combination for a great night that was had by all. The night’s music started with ‘Douglas E Powell’s eclectic mix of acoustic guitar and harmonious vocals which turned every ones attention to the stage.

As the room began to fill, Raffle tickets, limited edition t-shirts and stickers continued to be purchased. Huge thanks to Jane, Tash, Karen and Daisy for their tireless efforts both at the beach and at The Aggi ensuring all ran smoothly.

Next up on stage was the chilled out acoustic sound of Steve Lay, followed by Jim Jones’s own singer/song writing talents, both of whom delivered a powerful performance to the ever increasing audience.

The ‘Devil Delta Blues Band’; Robin Courtnage, vocals and guitar, Richard Newbury, guitar, and Joel Soul on Harp then delivered their set. Led by Robin’s Amazing voice, their unique mixture of bluesy guitar, harp and vocals kept the crowds attention stage wards ready for the Raffle.

The infamous Paddle4relief raffle was delivered once again by the always entertaining duo of Kenny and Daisy. A large number of prizes all generously donated by local businesses were up for grabs. Top prizes included, a weekend break at Saunton Sands holiday Villas, a motorised electric skateboard donated by Surfed out and a top prize of a 9ft4 longboard donated by Tiki.

Thank you again to all those shops and businesses who generously contributed. See full list on 2008 thank you page.

The headliners ‘Mendella’ then took to the stage, wow. The electrically energetic 5 piece rock band proceeded to blow the Aggi’s roof off for over an hour. Toby Parker on drums, Chappell on lead guitar, Jude Davies on bass, Green Jay on guitar and Butters vocals. Thanks guys for an amazing performance and all the best in your musical future.

A huge thank you must go out to Doug for putting together the evening’s musical line up, great work. And thanks again to all the performers, for donating their time, effort and talent. Cheers guys.

This brought to close Paddle4Relief 2008. Please forward any sponsor money as soon as possible, thanks.

The Paddle4relief team would like to express their thanks and gratitude to all who supported the event, either by contributing time, money, prizes, moral support…etc….the list can go on and on…( a bit like this article, sorry so much to say). All your efforts keep Paddle4Relief’s and our community’s spirit alive. Thank you.

Don’t forget to check out 2008 thank you page for full list of contributors and donators.( if we forget you please let us know). Paul.

THE 7 MILE PADDLE!

Despite the horrendous weather conditions, Paddle4relief founder Tim Tanton still managed to battle against the elements and complete the Woolacombe to Saunton paddle!

With Strong southerly winds, 4ft swell and spring tides, the odds were against him completing the arduous course. Some would call him crazy, others foolish, whilst Tim would call himself stubborn and committed.

The shear thought of those who have suffered from the 2004 Tsunami gave him the mental and physical endurance to paddle on.

A massive thank you to both the Woolacombe and Croyde RNLI Lifeguards, for their support and dedication in helping Tim achieve another successful Paddle4relief event.

Without these lifeguard professionals communicating via radio, and also towing Tim out of two horrendous rips at both Baggy Point & Downend Point, this remarkable effort would not have been completed.

Whilst Tim was busy paddling, Paddle4relief team members Debs & Chantal were running around Woolacombe collecting donations for the cause and Paul & Lee, were monitoring Tim’s progress from the shore before reuniting with him at Saunton beach.

Yet again if it was not for these friends of Tim’s, this Paddle would have been more physical and emotionally draining.

Therefore Tim would like to say a big thank you to them as well.

An exhausted and emotionally driven Tim arrived safely at Saunton Beach whilst being greeted by his supporters.

The two and a half hour struggle had paid off with a further £80 raised for the local charity.

THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM

Local surfer and founder of Paddle4Relief Tim Tanton will embark an whopping 7 mile challenge of paddling from Woolacombe Beach to Saunton Beach on Saturday 16th August to help raise awareness of the main Paddle4Relief sponsored Paddle-a-thon the very next day from Saunton Beach to Croyde and back.

On Sunday August the 17th, the event is expected to be quite a spectacle with lots of surfers signing up from all over the UK who will descend on North Devon next weekend. There will also be a raffle, BBQ and live music on the beach.

Tim comments on his solo paddle on Saturday 16th “I just wanted to do this pre paddle to encourage participants to come to the event on Sunday with your family and friends and support Paddle4relief”.

He continues “It is such a good way to pay your respects and at the same time have fun”.

TOP MUSICAL LINE UP AT THIS YEARS PADDLE 2008

A wealth of Acoustic musical talent will be performing on the beach at this year’s event.
Confirmed artists are as follows:

Douglas E Powell
Steve Lay
Becky Loney
Robin and Richard
Jim Jones
Mendella

Come show your support and enjoy an afternoon of chilled out musical entertainment.