A KEEN kayaker is making a splash in a bid to raise £5,000 for charity.

Retired higher scientific officer Paul Jenkins wants to collect cash for Bournemouth Hospital Charity for Ward 16, an acute surgical ward specialising in major operations following the diagnosis of bowel cancer.

Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK with nearly 42,000 people being diagnosed with bowel cancer every year. It is the second biggest cancer killer in the UK with more than 16,000 people dying from bowel cancer every year.

To raise funds, Paul has been kayaking off the Dorset coast during the summer and has so far completed more than 100 miles, including the circumnavigation of Portland Bill. In August, Paul kayaked from Swanage to The Needles and then from The Needles across the Solent, around the notorious Hurst Spit into Keyhaven, accompanied by two fellow members of Poole Harbour Canoe Club - Dave Rodger and British Canoeing 5 star advanced sea kayak leader Victor Copeland.

Paul who is almost half way towards achieving his target said: “I am completely overwhelmed by all the help and support I have received so far from members of the public, friends and family. I would like to also thank the following for all their help and support; Nationwide Ferndown, Tesco Ferndown, The Barrington Centre, Holmans, Poole Harbour Canoe Club and the team at Bournemouth Hospital Charity.”

To support Paul visit justgiving.com/fundraising/rbhward16.

For more information on bowel cancer, visit NHS Choices