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A local swimmer known as The Sea Donkey will soon be undertaking “the hardest swim” of his life.
Adrian Sarchet, who has previously swum from Northern Ireland to Scotland, will be swimming continuously for 24 hours to fundraise for wheelchair access at the bathing pools. Despite being one of just 21 people to complete the Oceans Seven, Mr Sarchet said the challenge would be a gruelling one.
“This swim is likely to be the hardest swim I will ever do. Swimming at close to capacity for 24 hours and navigating 1,320 tumble turns along the way, is a truly massive undertaking. The purpose of the challenge will keep me going,” said Mr Sarchet.
Pictured: Adrian Sarchet with disabled swimmer, Sarah Whitchurch, at La Vallette bathing pools.
Funds raised will be donated to Vive La Vallette LBG and Guernsey Disability Swimming LBG to go towards wheelchair and assisted access facilities at the recently redeveloped La Valette bathing pools.
“Swimming in the sea has, quite literally, transformed my life for the better and I want each member of the Bailiwick community to have the same opportunity,” said Mr Sarchet.
Mr Sarchet’s commitment to the challenge has attracted significant financial support from a variety of different sources, including corporates, individuals and grant givers. Thanks to a further recent commitment, the total funds now committed and/or donated to the Sea Donkey 24 Hour Swim Challenge exceed £100k, representing two thirds of the £150,000 target.
Pictured: The Sea Donkey, Adrian Sarchet, is one of 21 people to complete the Oceans Seven swimming challenge.
Although the new facilities at the bathing pools are open, Vive La Valette has not yet raised enough to cover the total costs, which are estimated to be £2m. The charity’s Chair, David Warr, said Mr Sarchet’s fundraising efforts were important.
“Adrian has trained tremendously hard preparing for the Challenge. We admire Adrian’s commitment to disabled swimmers on the Island through his involvement with Guernsey Disability Swimming and we are delighted that £15,000 of the funds raised will be for the benefit of that charity,” said Mr Warr.
“We are also grateful to Adrian for his support of the new facilities at the Bathing Pools and of his role as an ambassador for sea swimming. With a final push on the fundraising front in the remaining weeks before his challenge we remain hopeful that the ambitious target will be reached thanks to Adrian.”
Pictured: Adrian Sarchet training with Mark Torode for the Sea Donkey 24 Hour Swim Challenge
Mr Sarchet’s challenge will start on Saturday 20 August at 15:00 at the Ladies’ Pool. More than 60 teams have registered to take part in joining Mr Sarchet throughout the event in one-hour sections.
Mr Sarchet said he had prepared by undertaking six-hour swims at Beau Sejour, before building up to seven-and-a-half-hour swims in the La Vallette Ladies’ Pool. He undertook his last training session in Scotland, swimming the length of Loch Ness, over 36 kilometres, in just under 16 hours on 31 July.
A handful of remaining slots are available for corporate/social teams and individuals to get involved and further details can be obtained HERE.
You can donate to the Sea Donkey 24 Hour Swim Challenge HERE.
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