A LLANFYLLIN woman is on the verge of completing the circumnavigation of Wales in a kayak to raise funds for charity.

Pen Godber has been sea kayaking for six years since her retirement, and wanted to use her passion for the activity to raise vital funds for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

The 71-year-old believes she may be the oldest person to complete a full circumnavigation of Wales upon completion of her challenge.

With the finish line in sight, Pen has enjoyed her experience so far and is looking forward to the remaining kayaking.

She said: “I started close to home on the River Tanat at Llangedwyn and have now paddled down the rivers, through the Severn Estuary to the sea then all the way round past Cardiff, up Glamorganshire, the Gower, Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Gwyneth along the coast towards home.

“I have now reached Barmouth at one end of my journey and Chester at the other. I have paddled 987kms and am within touching distance of Anglesey where I hope to finish.

“From Barmouth and Chester it's a bit of a pincer movement. I'm hoping to finish at the RNLI station at Trearddur Bay, Anglesey.”

Pen has taken on the challenge in a five-metre long sea kayak with a closed cockpit, and has travelled sections with camping equipment to allow overnight stays.

Her boat is made of carbon fibre, handmade by Mike Webb at Rockpool kayaks in Anglesey.

Pen has been helped along the way by friends she has met through kayaking in recent years, particularly through the challenging sections of the journey.

She has also been accompanied by wildlife swimming the coasts of Wales too.

“Being immersed in nature and having uniquely close encounters with wildlife is a huge bonus. Puffins, terns, dolphins, porposies, seals and jellyfish,” Pen said.

“I have been lucky to have some skilled friends, new and old along too because there are some big challenges along the way.

“For example the Severn Estuary has the second highest tidal range in the world with strong tidal currents.

“I couldn't have done this without the help of Sue Couling, friend and mentor and one of the best sea kayak coaches in the UK, Neil Buckland, and the help and support of my daughter Amy Goolden.”

Pen wanted to raise funds for RNLI, because of the brave work that they do.

She said: Briefly “I chose the RNLI because they are an incredible bunch of brave, skilled people who look out for all of us.”

Anyone wishing to donate to Pen’s fundraiser can do so online at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Pen-Godber