Team gets ready to take the plunge in Jersey to France charity swim
By Davina Hyde
Members of a swimming club are teaming up to swim from Jersey to France in a five-person relay to raise money for a local charity.
The five person team from Brockwell Swimmers’ Club will aim to swim from Jersey to France at the end of June in aid of Wheels for Wellbeing, a charity supporting disabled people to enjoy the benefits of cycling.
The swimmers, John Crozier, Nicola Green, Tim Sutton, Francesca Aquiline and Morgan Lloyd Malcolm – along with reserve Jo Newbald, are staying in St Helier, and will have a boat from June 23-27, ready to take the plunge when the weather conditions are suitable for the 18-mile swim.
They will start at the far eastern corner of Jersey, swimming one hour at a time, until one of the team touches French soil, depending on the tides.
The swim will be a challenge, not only the distance, but also the perils of open water swimming and the temperature of the water.
It is being done under Channel swim rules which mean the swimmers will not be allowed to wear a wet suit or use any flotation device.
All they are allowed are caps, goggles and swimming trunks or a swimsuit.
In preparation the team have been practising at Brockwell Park Lido, as well as sea swims on the south coast.
Their latest excursion has been to Dover harbour, where the team hired a boat to get their sea legs and practice the art of changing swimmers during the relay.
They did not know each other before committing themselves to the charitable event.
Tim Sutton, chairman of Brockwell Swimmers Club, said: “This is the biggest swim of my life and I have mixed emotions of both excitement and nervousness.
“We have jelled really quickly as a team and that comradeship should help with the swim.
“Fingers crossed for a successful crossing and a lot of money raised for this fantastic local charity.”
Brockwell Swimmers Club let users of the lido choose the charity, and settled on local charity Wheels for Wellbeing, which empowers disabled people to transform their physical and emotional well-being through the provision of cycling.
Dr Kay Inckle, campaigns and policy manager for Wheels for Wellbeing, said: “We are delighted that our neighbours in Herne Hill are using their swim from Jersey to France to support our inclusive cycling sessions.
“The money raised by the Brockwell swimmers will help keep our sessions running so that we can continue to break down the barriers to cycling and make sure that everyone on has the chance to cycle.”
The team have set up a GoFund page for supporters to donate to the charity Wheels for Wellbeing at https://gofund.me/5234c185
Pictured top: From left, John Crozier, Nicola Green, Tim Sutton, Francesca Aquiline and Morgan Lloyd Malcolm
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