Chairman takes the plunge for charity

Published on 3 November 2011

Exhilarating, terrifying, exciting, fun ... just a few of the words used to describe the white water rafting adventure as councillors and staff 'took the plunge' to raise money for local charities at Londons new Olympics 2012 venue.

Watch the video produced by Chairman Ken Angold-Stephens

The intrepid group of 18, made up of councillors, staff and friends were led by the Chairman of Epping Forest District Council, Councillor Ken Angold-Stephens, spent an adrenaline pumping evening at the Lee Valley White Water Centre.

The group were kitted out with wetsuits, buoyancy aids, helmets and boots before going through safety briefings and flat water exercises on the lake where they learnt how to navigate the world class white water course.

Split into 2 teams and given a raft guide, both teams enjoyed 4 runs down the rapids and performing a mixture of surfing, high siding, spinning and nose dunking moves. A couple of the group fell 'overboard' but were quickly hauled back into the rafts by the rest of their team.

Chairman Ken Angold-Stephens said: "What a brilliant way to raise money for charity! I would like to thank my fellow councillors and staff who helped raise nearly £1,000 for my 2 chosen charities, St Clare Hospice and Homestart Epping Forest. I'm certain that the Lee Valley White Water Centre will be a fantastic legacy for the London 2012 Olympics and prove to be a great boost to the community and local economy. I would also like to thank the staff at the venue, they made us very welcome and kept us safe, helping to make the evening one I'll never forget."

The Lee Valley White Water Centre, located in Hertfordshire, is a 5 minute walk from the historic Waltham Abbey church. It was opened to the public in spring 2011 and will host the Canoe Slalom competition during the London 2012 Olympic Games. It cost 31 million to build will also host the ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships in 2015.