A FATHER and son have arrived back in Odiham after a mammoth 400-mile kayak challenge.

Mark and Harry Caville took on the challenge to raise funds for RobbiesRally, which was set up by Mark’s son and Harry’s brother, Robbie, who died from cancer earlier this year.

The 10 year old was diagnosed with a brain tumour and died in February, just four years after the family had lost wife and mum Kate to breast cancer.

The father-and-son team kayaked an average of a marathon a day from Lancashire to Hampshire to support the work that Robbie started, where they hoped to raise £28,000 to set up a dedicated paediatric team to help families at Southampton Children’s Hospital where Robbie was treated.

Southampton Children’s Hospital’s neuro-oncology services treats up to 25 new children with brain tumours each year. There is no designated time or specific funding for the rehabilitation of neuro-oncology patients within the rehabilitation service.

The aim of the charity is to build a dedicated paediatric outpatient rehabilitation team to be named Robbie’s Rehabilitation.

The team would enable the children to adapt to normal life again after they have completed their treatment.

Mark, 52, said: “My wife Kate was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008 and she passed away in 2011 when Robbie was just six. Robbie decided then and there to become a doctor but then he too was diagnosed with cancer in the form of a brain tumour.

“During the last year of his life, he decided to set up a charity and named it RobbiesRally.

“He had an irrepressible personality and energy, and gained lots of followers and supporters for many events.

“Along with Harry and his sister Lara, we want to continue to develop the charity to help children adapt to normal life after completing their treatment.”

The 15-day trip in the tandem kayak started on July 10 and the pair were completely unsupported, camping each night. They encountered all types of weather conditions along the way, from large river waves to sweltering heatwaves.

It concluded two weeks later at Odiham Wharf.

When Robbie set up RobbiesRally, he recruited the help of TV adventurer Bear Grylls as patron.

Bear said: “Robbie was such an inspiration. His love of both life and people touched everyone he met. His spirit lives on encouraging those going through tough times to see sunshine where there is rain and hope where there is loss.

“RobbiesRally allows us to help those most in need and Robbie himself must be so proud of all that we can do now together in his memory and for his legacy.”

To find out more about the campaign or donate to the cause, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/robbiesrow.