Mental health and wellbeing charities to benefit from 2023 Skipton Swimarathon

The Skipton Swimarathon is supporting local mental health and mental wellbeing charities for its annual event this October.

The committee has chosen two charities who primarily support mental wellbeing: the Youth Commission for Guernsey and Alderney, specifically in their Educational Mental Health and Wellbeing (EMHW) team; and Guernsey Mind, who specialise in the adult mental health arena.

Both are desperately in need of additional funding to enable them to maintain and expand the services they provide to the Bailiwick.

John Stuart, Chairman of the Skipton Swimarathon committee, said: “Both the Lions Club and Round Table, who jointly organise the event, are keen to specifically target their support towards mental health charities for 2023. There is a definite requirement to bolster support in this area. As for the event itself, we all need something to look forward to and the Skipton Swimarathon certainly plays an important part in maintaining our community spirit.  We are excited about taking to the pool in October, and I think people would like a fun and worthwhile event to focus on right now. The work of the two named charities, between them, support the whole range of children, youth and adults and is vital to our small community. We believe helping mental wellbeing charities will be a cause that will touch many islanders.

Helena Pearson of the Youth Commission said: “We really hope the whole of Guernsey will get behind the 2023 Skipton Swimarathon as the funds raised will be vital for helping our dedicated team to focus on the best they can be for young people, and allow us to continue our work in States’ secondary schools, sixth form and the community.”

Maddy Diligent, for Guernsey Mind, said: “We are delighted to have been chosen as one of the main beneficiaries of the 2023 Skipton Swimarathon. This funding will enable us to continue supporting adults in the workplace and community, having helped over 1,600 people during 2022”.

The Skipton Swimarathon raised more than £67,000 last year towards local charities in the Bailiwick. It has been a fixture on the island’s calendar since 1977 and has grown to become Guernsey’s largest community fundraising event having raised more than £1,700,000 for local good causes.

The Skipton Swimarathon takes place between 4-8 October at Beau Sejour. More details and booking can be found at: www.swimarathon.org.