April 2015 –TV Presenter Steve Backshall and his paddling partner George Barnicoat completed the Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race in April, raising more than £45,000 for international conservation charity World Land Trust (WLT). 

Steve took on the challenge of completing the 125 mile longest non-stop canoe race in the world to raise funds for WLT. The funds raised will enable the conservation charity to buy and protect Colombian rainforest, saving the land from logging, poaching and other forms of exploitation.

This is the second time that Steve has entered the Devizes Westminster race, which is one of the toughest events in the UK endurance calendar. He said: “The race this year was uncommonly brutal. Our rudder wire snapped at about 17 miles in, after less than three hours of paddling. However despite several technical problems, we finally finished outside the Houses of Parliament after 23 hours, 17 minutes. We've managed to raise nearly £50,000, which will save a huge chunk of Colombian rainforest. Have a look at my fundraising page, as your donation could help.” 

John Burton, WLT's Chief Executive said: “We're incredibly proud of both Steve and George and their magnificent achievement in not only completing the race but also managing to do so in less than 24 hours. The funds raised are important for our conservation projects in Colombia and will go towards saving more forest and extending wildlife corridors between protected areas.” 

To make a donation to support Steve's fundraising effort, visit www.justgiving.com/steve-backshall.  For more information on World Land Trust, visit www.worldlandtrust.org 

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PHOTO CAPTIONS

Photo Caption 1: Steve Backshall and George Barnicoat approach Pewsey Wharf during the DW Canoe Race. 

Photo Caption 2 (from left to right): Steve Backshall and George Barnicoat celebrate finishing the DW Canoe Race in 23 hours 17 minutes. 

Photo Caption 3 (from left to right): Peter Foster (World Land Trust Volunteer), Christina Ballinger (World Land Trust Senior Editor), Steve Backshall, George Barnicoat, Julia Warnes (World Land Trust Donations Assistant) and Dan Bradbury (World Land Trust Head of Digital Communications) at the finish line opposite Big Ben and Houses of Parliament. 

Steve Backshall is available for media interviews by arrangement. For more information or to arrange an interview please contact:

McCluskey International

Sarah Salord / Christina Vasileiou

T: 020 8747 2170

E: worldlandtrust@mccluskey.co.uk

NOTES TO EDITORS

About World Land Trust (WLT)

World Land Trust (WLT) is an international conservation charity, which protects the world's most biologically important and threatened habitats acre by acre. Since its foundation in 1989, WLT has funded partner organisations around the world to create reserves, and give permanent protection to habitats and wildlife. The mission of the World Land Trust is: To protect and sustainably manage natural ecosystems of the world; To conserve their biodiversity, with emphasis on threatened habitats and endangered species; To develop partnerships with local individuals, communities and organisations to engage support and commitment among the people who live in project areas; To raise awareness, in the UK and elsewhere, of the need for conservation, to improve understanding and generate support through education, information and fundraising. 

About Steve Backshall

Steve's broadcasting career began with National Geographic Channel International, where he was Adventurer in Residence, producing, filming and presenting adventure and natural history programmes. In 2003, Steve moved to the BBC Natural History Unit where, like WLT Patron Chris Packham, he became one of the presenters on the children's wildlife programme The Really Wild Show. 

Steve went on to join the Natural History Unit's expedition team, making the first ascent of a jungle peak and dropping into a vast sinkhole in the Mulu mountains in Expedition Borneo. In 2011, Steve won two BAFTA awards for best Children's Television Presenter and Best Factual series. 

In the US he was nominated for an Emmy award for Expedition Borneo while Lost Land of the Volcano won the 2012 Wildscreen award for best popular broadcast. In 2012 Backshall was awarded an honorary PhD from the University of Exeter. Outside his natural history television work, Steve is a keen endurance athlete. This is his second Devizes to Westminster kayak race and he has previously completed many extreme challenges including the Marathon Des Sables and the Welsh 1,000 metre peaks marathon. He is passionate about rock and ice climbing, kayaking and cycling.