Dr Emma Egging, CEO of the youth charity Jon Egging Trust (JET) will be stepping onto a paddleboard for only the fourth time, as she embarks on a half-marathon along the River Witham from Newark to Lincoln.

The event is the second of ten gruelling physical challenges Emma is undertaking this year as part of JET's 10-year anniversary 'JET10' fundraising campaign.

Dr Emma Egging founded the Jon Egging Trust following the death of her husband, Flt Lt Jon Egging, at the Bournemouth Air Show in 2011.

The couple previously lived together in Morcott in Rutland, where Jon is buried, but now Emma lives in Colsterworth.

Emma said: "The aim of my JET10 challenges are twofold. We want to shine a light on the vital work that we do to support young people who are struggling with confidence and finding it hard to engage in education.

"In addition, we are aiming to raise £100,000 to expand our programmes in the light of the Coronavirus pandemic, so we're really hoping that lots of people will get behind us through our JET10 fundraising pages."

Starting at Barnby in the Willows in Nottinghamshire, Emma is expecting to be on the water for over six-hours as she paddles her way 13-miles north to Lincoln. She is being joined by JET trustee Sam Porteous, and two former Red Arrows pilots Dan Lowse, and Chris Lyndon-Smith who first suggested the challenge to Emma.

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"Seeing how the trust has expanded and positively affected the lives of tens of thousands of children is immensely satisfying and to play a small part in that is something I'm very proud of."

Sam said: "It's an honour to complete this event alongside Emma, and also to help to steer the Jon Egging Trust on its exciting journey as part of the trustee board."

The paddleboard challenge comes hot on the heels of last weekend's announcement that Emma is to be appointed an OBE for services to young people, as reported by Nub News.

The weekend was made all the more special for the JET team by the launch of their new resource hub for schools, JET Inspired, which they have developed in partnership with the Red Arrows, as also reported by Nub News.

To donate to JET10 or learn more about and the epic challenges Emma is undertaking this year, please visit jet10.joneggingtrust.org.uk