News
Prince Harry visits Sizewell to welcome the EnglandVaarders kayaking team back from Holland
24th August 2011
Prince Harry has met the families of four British men aiming to recreate an epic escape from Holland when it was under Nazi-occupation. The Prince paid a visit to Sizewell beach, Suffolk, to mark the expected completion of the 40-hour kayaking voyage for charity.
The trip is a tribute to 32 young Dutchmen who escaped their homeland 70 years ago.
Only eight completed the original trip, arriving at Sizewell beach, and the modern day crews faced similar hardship.
Four Britons - Alex Greenwell, Ed Cooper, Harry Franks and Olly Hicks - began the expedition on Monday night. They were joined by Dutch brothers Henri and William Peteri.
They aim to raise thousands of pounds for the Suffolk Foundation and Combat Stress, which Prince Harry supports.
The Prince took a break from training at nearby Wattisham Airfield to visit Sizewell.
Prince Harry chatted with families as the expedition arrived as a dot on the horizon.
The men are expected to land later this afternoon and The Prince told the families of his regret that he could not be there to welcome them to shore.
In 2005, aged 23, Olly Hicks became the first person to row solo from America to England.
His father, Charles Hicks, said: "This achievement will mean a lot to him because he's been able to do it with his friends and, being a local boy, the Suffolk connection is important.
"To have The Prince lend his support is magnificent. We are all very grateful he took the time to pay a visit."
He added that the men had not slept for two nights and the voyage had faced force six winds.
The original Engelandvaarders, or England voyagers, faced constant danger including heavily mined North Sea waterways.
When the survivors reached shore they were initially afraid to land due to fear of mines.
Prince Harry said: "I am truly amazed at what the Engelandvaarder team have achieved in the past couple of days. To have kayaked across the open water of the North Sea, in weather that at times reached Force 5, is an extraordinary thing to have done. That the team - British and Dutch - have done so 70 years to within a few weeks that the gallant original Engelandvaarder undertook their legendary ordeal, serves as a fitting memorial to them all and in particular those who gave their lives during the crossing in 1941.
"It is appropriate that today's endeavour should be in support of Combat Stress, which does so much to help our young Servicemen and women. It is also fitting that the Suffolk Foundation is a beneficiary, as it was on this county's shore that the surviving Engelandvaarder reached freedom.
"I applaud the courage and resilience of the Engelandvaarder 2011," he added.