A POPULAR Thornbury shop owner has successfully completed his challenge of canoeing more than 150 miles, raising almost £3,000 in the process.

Richard Edwards, 34, who runs gift and framing shop Surroundings in the town centre, set off in his canoe down the River Severn at Welshpool.

It took the businessman just four days, faster than the anticipated five-day paddle, to reach the finishing line at Sharpness.

He said: "It was such a gruelling few days but in the end I completed the 154 miles from Welshpool to Sharpness on the Severn in four days rather than the five as I had planned. This however resulted in me doing about 20,000 paddle strokes a day.

"The weather on the Monday was horrific and I paddled 45 miles in persistent heavy rain but the cause made every blister and aching limb worthwhile."

Richard gave himself the challenge to raise money for four charities, the national charity the Stroke Association and the Thornbury, Swindon and Ross-on-Wye Stroke Support Groups.

He chose those groups because his wife Emma’s grandfather, John Oram, suffered a stroke in the 1970s and helped set up the Swindon Stroke Support Group. Last year Richard’s godfather also suffered a stroke and received help from the Ross-on-Wye group.

So far Richard has raised £2,800 through sponsorship, well over his target amount of £2,000.

"It was really tough at the times but I'm so glad I have done it and I couldn't have done it without the support of my amazing wife, son, family, friends and customers. A huge thanks to all of them who have donated," he said.

There is still time to show Richard support and sponsor him either by visiting him in Surroundings on St Mary Street or by visiting www.justgiving.com/Richard-Edwards1