Many of you will have known Toby personally. With a naturally outgoing personality he was somebody who lived life to the full. Whether this was working as an architect in London, as a University lecturer, which resulted in his move to Cornwall or as a kayaker. He was an individual who launched himself, with enthusiasm, into so many projects.
He became involved in kayaking after staying with us one Christmas. He took part in the traditional Boxing Day paddle with the Jersey Canoe Club and never looked back. On his return to London we put him in touch with the Tower Hamlets Canoe Club and almost immediately he was an active member. His rise through the kayaking world was truly meteoric. Passing his Advanced Sea Kayak Leader Assessment within a few years.
Throughout his life Toby struggled with his health, both he and his brother, Marcus, were born with a rare genetic condition called Fanconi’s anaemia. Marcus died, aged just 38, in 2017. Toby deciding to live his life to the full and looking for a new challenge, launched the project Moderate Becoming Good Later, a plan to paddle to all of the shipping forecast areas. He was a recipient of a Winston Churchill Fellowship and with their support he was able to embark on his journey, starting in the waters of SE Iceland.
Unfortunately he didn’t complete the journey but he had started writing the book before his untimely death in January 2022, a few months after his 40th birthday. Katie, his sister, embaked on her own journey, as a writer, with their book due for publication on the 8th June, this year. The book is available for pre-order from your favourite book sellers. So start planning your summer reading.