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Two charities, the Guernsey Branch of Diabetes UK and the Guernsey branch of Arthritis Care were the recipients of funds raised at last year’s Castle Swim at a recent presentation.
They were chosen because of the connection with two talented local teenage swimmers, who despite suffering from type 1 diabetes and arthritis have both managed to excel at the sport.
Jack Blondel, 13, and Sophie De La Mare, 12, came in the top four of last year’s Castle Swim. Both take part in the Guernsey Swimming Club’s bay swims during the summer and cover distances ranging from 600m to 1500m across various bays around the island.
The Castle Swim, Guernsey’s renowned charity swim, is sponsored by Saffery Champness and has been running for over 45 years. Over the last 10 years, the event has raised more than £10,000 benefiting lots of local charitable causes.
Nick Batiste, managing director of Saffery Champness, said: “This event is not just for seasoned sea swimmers but for all ages and abilities. The relatively short distance across Havelet Bay is a brilliant opportunity to experience open water swimming in a controlled and safe environment. We would like to thank everyone who took part in the event last year and hope to see as many again taking part in this year’s swim at the end of August.
“The sea temperatures are particularly high this year, which should make the swim even more appealing.”
This year’s open castle swim will be on Sunday 31st August. Registration will take place from 9.30 and with the first wave of swimmers arriving at 10.30am
Following storm damage at the Gents and Horse Shoe pools the swim will start from the slip way by the Half Moon Cafe and finish at the castle slip way as normal.
The event has been kindly sponsored again by Saffery Champness and the entry fee (donations minimum £2) will be donated to a local charity which this year will be Headway.
The minimum age of swimmers who can take part is 12 years old.
