Paraplegic amputee adventurer from Lancaster achieves new world record for canoeing African river

Tuesday, 5 November 2024 09:07

By Greg Lambert @greglam72

Shaun Gash, wife Dawn and the team who canoed the Zambezi in Africa, Images @shaungashofficial

An extraordinary wheelchair adventurer from Lancaster has set a new world record for canoeing one of the longest rivers in Africa as a paraplegic amputee.

Shaun Gash and two other wheelchair users were part of a team who successfully canoed 280km from Chirundu in Zambia to the Mozambique border.

Along the way they encountered elephants, hippos, crocodiles and lions, and had to deal with flat tyres and capsized canoes, but achieved their goal after seven days.

They are raising money for Spinal Research and Whizz Kidz, the UK's leading charity for young wheelchair users.

Along the way, Shaun and his wife Dawn (pictured below) and the team helped the local Zambian community by delivering supplies to a school and medical centre.

The Lancaster adventurer, Liam Morris from Askam-in-Furness and Michelle Moffatt from Dumbarton set the new world record as the first three paraplegics to canoe the Zambezi.

Shaun has used a wheelchair for 33 years, ever since he was paralysed from his chest down following a car accident when he was 20.

Seven years ago, he also lost his leg while climbing Ben Nevis mountain in Scotland.

But Shaun has not allowed his disabilities to stop him from taking on the toughest challenges to raise money for great causes.

These have included sky diving and scuba diving, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and travelling in his chair from Land's End to John O'Groats.

"Life is full of opportunities which you can choose to take or only dream," said Shaun, posting on his Instagram @shaungashofficial.

"My dream has always been to canoe the Zambezi River again.

"The first was when I was 15 years old but this time as a paraplegic amputee.

"Dreams only become reality when you are determined and have the right support to put plans together to make it happen.

"So plans started and along the way I always had in mind to keep the team small with the right people.

"Myself, my wife and my daughter Sharna were part of this.

"We were joined by a spark of inspiration and craziness, by Michelle Moffatt.

"Then came the most laid-back person and all-round good guy Liam Morris with his dad Daz.

"I always wanted this journey to be recorded professionally. I stumbled across the most professional, humble and nicest guy you could meet in Jim Cooke from Centreline Films. Jim, who also added his wit and humour to the expedition, was the last cog of the team.

"But with everything, my daughter had to drop out as she surprised us with her amazing news of becoming a mother, and myself and Dawn grandparents!

"So it was set, six team members to take on the mighty Zambezi for charities Whizzkidz Uk and Spinal Research, with the additional focus of supporting the local community in Zambia, Chirundu Mtendere Mission Hospital to provide wheelchairs and much-needed medical supplies.

"To top it off to set a Guinness World Record of the first three paraplegic amputees to ever take on the Zambezi river.

"And we completed it.

"Seven days, 280km, 95 litres of water, lots of laughs, lots of emotions, lots of scary situations, flat tyres, capsized canoes, just to name a few things."

Dawn, posting on Facebook, said: "Our African adventure has come to an end but what a fantastic time we had, so many amazing memories.

"We visited a local school to donate classroom equipment. Thank you to all who donated. The teachers were overwhelmed, the children performed a dance for us. It was beautiful. We gave out bouncy balls, something so simple brought so many smiles. It was very touching to see.

"The following day we hit the river where we paddled and camped for six nights from Chirundu to the border of Mozambique, a total of 280km!

"The wildlife and views was spectacular especially the sunrise and sunsets.

"We saw so many elephants, lots of hippos, (I did have a few wobbly moments when they were close by), osprey, impalas, crocodiles, wildebeest and even saw a lion and lioness on the drone eating.

"We were looked after by our guides who were wonderful. Nothing was too much trouble. It was the first time they have taken anyone in wheelchairs along the river in canoes.

"They couldn't have done a better job. We felt very safe even in the scarier moments.

"Before leaving we went to a local missionary hospital, where we donated three new wheelchairs and medical supplies that we shipped over.

"Thanks to all who supported. They are in need, it will make a huge difference. We like to support the local community on our challenges.

"Shaun, Michelle and Liam, I am so proud of you all breaking down barriers and leading the way for others with disabilities to follow their dreams."

RGK Wheelchairs posted: "We are so proud of our International Product Specialist Shaun Gash and his team for setting a Guinness World Record as the first paraplegics to canoe 280km down the lower Zambezi over seven days whilst raising money for Whizz Kidz and Spinal Research.

"Ahead of their challenge, Shaun and his team also helped the local community by delivering supplies to Pembere Community School and Mtendere Mission Hospital."

Shaun's GoFund me page is still open. You can donate HERE.