FACTORY technicians Mick Whieldon and Lee Atkins plan to paddle 132 miles along the Thames in canoes to raise cash for the Multiple Sclerosis Centre in Middlesbrough.

They start near Oxford this weekend after six months of training using the River Tees at Stockton and the sea off Redcar, Marske and Saltburn.

The duo hope to complete the challenge in five days.

Before they hatched the idea, neither had been in a canoe and Stockton and Thornaby Canoe Club loaed them the single-man craft.

Mr Whieldon, 31, from Billingham, and Mr Atkins, 19, from Middlesbrough, hope to raise £2,500 from sponsorship and would welcome support from companies or individuals.

The therapy centre, which helps MS sufferers around the North-East, needs £1,400 a week to continue its work.

Anyone able to help can contact centre co-ordinator Alan Sharp on (01642) 461673