Epic UK skate approaches home stretch

Press Release - Thursday 18 May 2006

Dave Cornthwaite is heading through the Midlands, over 550 miles into the first ever attempt to skateboard the length of Britain.

Cornthwaite, 26, who stepped onto a skateboard for the first time in March 2005, is aiming to reach Land's End on Monday 29 May. He has already become the first man to skate the length of Scotland en route to the finish line in Cornwall.

Cornthwaite is riding on his trusty longboard, Elsa, an innovative carbon fibre skateboard designed to aid distance travel. His John O'Groats to Land's End journey is the first-leg of BoardFree, a charity initiative designed to raise the profile of three children's charities: Link Community Development, the Lowe Syndrome Trust and Sailability Australia.

In late August 2006, Cornthwaite will leave Perth in Western Australia, with several thousand miles of coastal road leading towards his destination, Brisbane, on the east coast. This journey is the focal point of the BoardFree project and will break the current distance skateboarding world record by over 2000 miles.

Cornthwaite said: "I see the UK journey as a warm-up for my Australia expedition. I would like to extend an open invite to skaters and cyclists to raise sponsorship and join me for a short section of the journey."

Cornthwaite hopes the British public can appreciate his efforts and support his every push. He has already attracted support from celebrities such as Tony Hawk, Ellen MacArthur and James Cracknell.

Full details can be found on www.boardfree.co.uk and online donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/boardfree.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1. Dave Cornthwaite can be contacted on mobile: 07834 276402, email: dave@boardfree.co.uk.

2. More details can be found on www.boardfree.co.uk.

3. Cash sponsors are being sought to support BoardFree. In return promotional opportunities are available.

4. In a recent eBay auction Dave sold advertising space on his enlarged calves for over £500.