An overnight ‘Channel’ relay swim will be taking place at Littledown Centre on Saturday 9 May 2015.
Nearly 100 volunteers, many with triathlon or ironman experience, will either ‘swim the Channel’ in relay (21 miles), or do an ‘Isle of Wight’ relay (11 miles). Those less able to swim will complete a traditional sponsored swim.
The event will start at 6pm and carry on throughout the night by the relay teams of local elite long-distance swimmers. The sponsored swim for non-competitive leisure swimmers will take place from 6pm-8pm.
It is anticipated the 36,000 metres (21 mile) channel swim will take about 9 hours with each swimmer going as fast as they are able for 1 hour whilst the Isle of Wight teams will take around 6 hours.
The organisers have recruited local swimming clubs to participate. Poole S C Christchurch Seagulls and Swim Bournemouth chief coaches have selected a team to swim and to raise money.
The Littledown Masterclass swim team is taking part with almost all of them more than 40 years old and the oldest – an Olympian – is in his late 60s. The swim team includes James Gilfillan who is ranked amongst the top 10 Ironmen in the world and Dave Hembrow who has been national swimming champion in his age group at 200 and 400 metres on a number of occasions.
Organiser Laurie Dormer says,
“The aim of the event is to raise funds in support of Christian Aid so as to enable destitute and damaged humanity to recover from conflict and disasters like Ebola, Tsunami, Tornadoes or Famine. The charity will continue to work in these countries until the quality of life is relatively stable once more”.
To find out more contact Laurie Dormer 01425 475440 or email Laurence.dormer@gmail.com
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Notes to the editor
About BH Live
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For further press information:
Elizabeth Symmons
PR & Corporate Communications Executive, BH Live
Elizabeth.Symmons@bhlive.co.uk
01202 451866