Bear Grylls sends message of support

Best known for his television series Born Survivor, known as Man vs. Wild in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, Bear told Eye Feel Good it was an 'epic challenge for a wonderful cause'. Glenn Biesty of Centra Ballymoney and Stephen Smith from Castlerock, joined 16 other canoeist today (Tuesday, April 6) paddling for three days from Antrim to Castlerock via Lough Neagh and the Upper Bann. Glenn Biesty explained: "Last week we received a fantastic boost to team morale from adventurer Bear Grylls. Amazingly he sent a message of support and encouragement for our charity canoe trip. "Bear found about our trip and was aware that there were a few old scouts on the team - Stephen and I are both currently the Explorer Scout Leaders at 1st Castlerock." One of the youngest Britons to climb Mount Everest, doing so at age 23, Bear was appointed the youngest ever Chief Scout at the age of 35. In his email to Eye Feel Good, Bear said: "This is an epic challenge and for a wonderful cause. I admire your spirit greatly! God's speed and go for it!" Mark Kennedy of Eye Feel Good continued: "This comes from the man who is the youngest Britain to summit Everest. Led the first team to circumnavigate the UK on a personal watercraft or jet ski. Led a team of five on the first unassisted crossing of the north Atlantic Arctic Ocean, in an open rigid inflatable boat. Paramotored over Angel Falls in Venezuela, the world's highest waterfall. Holds the world record for the highest open-air formal dinner party under a hot-air balloon at 25,000 feet and paramotored over the Himalayas and holds the record for the longest indoor freefall. "We are truly humbled to have these words from a real born survivor. Thanks Bear! We'll do our best." The charity www.eyefeelgood.org was set up in 2009 to help raise funds to treat eye cancer as well as other types of Cancer. eyefeelgood.org founder Richard Fee, set up the charity after his wife Anne Marie received treatment for eye cancer at The Liverpool Ocular Oncology Centre, Royal Liverpool University Hospital. Richard Fee, Eye Feel Good Chairman, added "This is the type of challenge that Eye Feel Good is all about, we want to raise alot of money and awareness for the cause and at the same time we want to have alot of fun doing it. Please support this very worthwhile event by sponsoring the canoeist, you'll see and hear more about this at Centra Ballymoney or by visiting the website." For more information surf the website at www.eyefeelgood.org The Canoe Trip will be featured on UTV News this Thursday 8th April.