Hythe dad completes 39km SUP challenge in memory of Evie Dove

A year after first stepping onto a racing paddle board, Scott Ware, 52, has paddled a 39km round trip from Dover in 5 hours 50 minutes to fund training for NHS children’s healthcare professionals.

6 October 2026 – Kent, UK – A Hythe dad who first stood on a racing stand-up paddle board just over a year ago has paddled a 39km round trip from Dover, simulating the distance across the full English Channel, in memory of Evie Dove from Worth, Kent, who died from a brain tumour in 2022 at age 13. He’s aiming to raise £20,000 for The Evie Dove Foundation.

Scott Ware, 52, trained for a year to stand-up paddle board from Dover to France, but the planned crossing could not go ahead as the final permissions for the full route could not be secured. Determined to complete the equivalent distance, he paddled a 39km solo round trip from Dover on Saturday 3 October 2026, supported by a safety boat, finishing in 5 hours 50 minutes.

“I had two choices: give up and not attempt the 39km, or really make this challenge my own,” said Scott. “I chose the second option! My goal was always to do something a bit wacky that would positively impact people’s lives, and I’ve done that, just not quite in the way I planned. I really wanted to make the Foundation, my family and everyone who has supported me proud. When things got tough out there, that’s who I was thinking of, and I cannot thank you all enough for your support.”

To prepare, Scott trained through the winter along the Kent coast and on the Hythe Military Canal, braving freezing temperatures, 34mph winds and heavy rain to make sure he was physically and mentally ready. On the day, conditions were windy, and Scott was cheered on by his family, trustees from the Foundation, and local supporters.

Scott decided to take on the challenge in memory of Evie Dove, who lived life to the full with a sparkle in her heart. She was a brave, kind, caring soul who lit up every room she entered. The Foundation was founded in her honour and supports sick children and their families by funding training for children’s healthcare professionals. To date, it has raised over £775,000 and supported over 300 children’s healthcare professionals working in the NHS across disciplines including psychology, allergy, physiotherapy and more.

“The support we receive from people like Scott allows us to keep investing in training for children’s healthcare professionals across the UK, in Evie’s name,” said Simon Hagger, Trustee at The Evie Dove Foundation. “Every pound raised helps NHS healthcare professionals access training that makes a real difference to the care sick children and their families receive. We’re incredibly proud of Scott and so grateful that he chose to take on such an extraordinary challenge in Evie’s memory.”

Scott has raised more than £4,500 so far towards his £20,000 target and is calling on the Kent community and local businesses to help him reach it.

Find out more about Scott’s training journey and donate here: https://theeviedovefoundation.org/campaign/great-scotts-standup-paddle-challenge/

About The Evie Dove Foundation 
The Evie Dove Foundation is a UK-registered charity established in 2022 to improve care for seriously ill children by funding training for clinical paediatric professionals. To date, the Foundation has supported over 300 healthcare workers, helping them access specialist education, progress into senior roles, and deliver life-saving and compassionate care to children and families across the UK. Set up in memory of Evie Dove, who passed away aged 13 from a brain tumour, the charity exists to honour her legacy and address the shortfall in the UK’s paediatric healthcare workforce. 

Find out more: theeviedovefoundation.org