Grenadier Guardsmen veteran taking part in Yukon River expedition to raise money for charity

A Newbury military veteran is taking part in an expedition paddling 700km up the Yukon River to raise money for three veterans’ charities.

Guy Denison-Smith, 52, is part of a team of eight Grenadier Guardsmen who are departing for Canada on Sunday, June 5, to take part in the week-long adventure.

Five of the eight veterans suffered life changing injuries during their time serving as Grenadiers, with the Yukon 700 serving as a way to fundraise to help those who have been injured both mentally and physically during their time of service.

Mr Denison-Smith said: “This is going to be an epic adventure. It will test us all in very different ways and I have no doubt that we will forge a bond that will endure.

“My learning curve will be acute. Looking forward to ticking off another fishing river.”

The group, who have never all met each other before, will travel in open canoes along the Yukon between Whitehorse and Dawson City in north-west Canada, following the route of the original settlers and prospectors who first ventured into this wilderness in the early 19th Century.

For seven days, the eight men will navigate through the Yukon waterways for approximately 16 hours per day, camping overnight on islands.

The team will be completely self-sufficient, carrying all the tools and items they need on the expedition in their Kevlar open canoes that mimic the shape of those used by the original settlers.

Newbury MP Laura Farris, a patron of the Yukon 700, said: “The Yukon 700 expedition will be such an exciting adventure and a truly incredible experience for the eight Grenadier Guardsmen taking part.

“As a patron, I look forward to hearing all about the group's escapades when they return home later in June and I wish them all the very best of luck!

“Importantly, the group have also already raised thousands of pounds for three amazing charities – the Grenadier Guards Colonel's Fund, Combat Stress and SSAFA – which will make a real difference to the experiences of serving personnel and veterans, and I would encourage everyone that can donate to this cause to do so.”

The expedition has already raised £11,535 for these charities that all help veterans and their families during and following their periods of service. To donate visit this website https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/yukon-700

Mr Denison-Smith joined the First Battalion Grenadier Guards in 1991 and served on operations in Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Afghanistan; and trained in Africa, North America, Europe and the Far East.

He was Captain of the Escort at the 2001 Trooping the Colour, and left the Army in 2017 after 26 years’ service.

Mr Denison-Smith currently runs his own wine import and distribution business Blue Ice Wine UK Ltd, and in 2021, he set up an executive search business assisting veterans with finding employment.

Aside from his family, his passions in life are cricket, travel, and wine.