Sussex Man Prepares to Paddleboard Across English Channel in Memory of Daughter
Jamie BartlettBundy, a resident of Hassocks in Sussex, is gearing up for a challenging journey across the English Channel on a paddleboard. The purpose of this daunting task is to raise funds for children’s cancer research, in loving memory of his 10-year-old daughter Pearl who passed away in 2017 after being diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, a form of bone cancer.
Jamie and his wife Rachel later established #PearlPower, a Special Named Fund at CCLG: The Children & Young People’s Cancer Association. The fund has successfully raised over £125,000 for research into finding kinder and more effective treatments for all types of childhood cancer with poor outcomes.
Accompanied by his brother John Bartlett, 56, from Garsington in Oxfordshire, Jamie had previously taken on a challenging paddleboarding adventure in 2023. They covered a distance of 100km from Scotland’s west coast to its east during Storm Babet. Now, the duo is preparing for their second ‘Paddle4Pearl’ which they will undertake in the week commencing 4 August.
The 26.5 nautical-mile journey, which the brothers hope will raise over £10,000 for the fund, will test their physical and mental endurance. Despite acknowledging the scale of the task ahead, Jamie stated that he is “looking forward to seeing how much I can push myself”.
In addition to his regular paddle training, which includes hours of practice in all kinds of weather conditions and a session with GBSUP, the organization responsible for organizing national paddle boarding races, Jamie has also adopted a rigorous fitness regime to prepare himself for the challenges of the crossing.
Jamie, who owns a carpentry business, said, “I’ve been working hard, training every day in some way, running or swimming. The morning routine is definitely getting harder, trying to fit everything in alongside work and life. The challenge itself is physical and mental, so it’s about being prepared to take on whatever hits us. One of the hardest parts will be being out for such a long time, unable to come in for lunch, with land so far away. I want to make sure I’ve got enough in the tank to be able to do it on a really tough day and have a little bit left over. We don’t want to be falling over at the finish line. We want to be standing proud at the end.”
Jamie, who will turn 50 when he takes on the challenge, added, “I know it’ll be hard. But after seeing what my daughter and all those other children go through, and still smile, I feel like I’m paling in significance when compared to them. And of all the people I’d want to do this with, it’s my brother, with him being with me throughout Pearl’s illness. His strength is something I rely on, and vice versa, and his mental support, and his being with me, is vital. John has also done other long-distance challenges in aid of #PearlPower, and his experience and insight give me strength that we can do the crossing.”
The money raised by #PearlPower has been able to support CCLG in funding two groundbreaking research projects, and the family has met some of the researchers involved. Jamie stated that knowing how the funds they raise will be used will drive them during their challenge.
“Rachel and I have met with the scientists that we’ve put money towards, so you can see what’s going on,” he said. “We know what it’s doing and to see that it’s making a difference is remarkable. It’s tangible and a driving force as well. I think it makes us get up and keep going. We’re changing people’s lives: children’s lives, their parents’ lives, their brothers’ and sisters’ lives. Their grandparents’ lives.”
Jamie started paddleboarding after the death of his daughter, having received a board as a gift from Rachel and his son Milo. He said that being out in the calm of nature, for hours at a time, has been a “place to find acceptance”, adding, “When you’re out on these long paddles, you’re just there with your own thoughts, with no interferences, coming to terms with things.”
Having documented his paddleboarding journey on social media to raise awareness of childhood cancer and the urgent need to find new treatments, Jamie has been overwhelmed with well-wishes and support.
He said, “I’ve had some lovely messages from people saying they’re really enjoying watching my journey and coming along with me, seeing what I’m up to. It’s heartwarming.”
Vicki Brunt, CCLG’s Head of Fundraising, expressed her best wishes for Jamie and John’s incredible challenge. “We can’t thank them enough for their efforts, which will help us change the