Channel hoppers make a splash for cash

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Standing L-R: Dr Roger Alcock, Neil Painter – Paramedic, Dr Frederick Van Damme, Captain Pete Driver – Pilot.

Kneeling L-R: Robert Brown, Seamus McCarney, Rachel Gosling, Sarah Titcombe and Colin McBride

A group of parents are to swim the Channel in a bid to raise £10,000 for the Sussex Air Ambulance. Sarah Titcombe, Seamus McCarney, Rachel Gosling, Rob Brown and Colin McBride all live in Billingshurst.

 

The Sussex Air Ambulance was launched three years ago, and Sarah has been a volunteer for two years. When Sarah received a newsletter detailing the Channel Swim, she mentioned it to a couple of friends and “before we knew it we had a team together, it all seemed like a good idea over a glass of wine!”

 

Now she and fellow parents at Billingshurst School are to swim from Dover to France to raise much-needed funds for the life-saving charity. The swim is approximately 21 miles, but can be up to 30 miles depending on the weather and tides on the day.  This means that the swimmers will have to swim at least 3 times each.

 

The Billingshurst Channel Hoppers, as they are known, have so far raised £2,000 but have set a target sum of £10,000.

 

Sarah’s sons Rhys, 9, and Jack, 7, are planning an art gallery sale at school to help with fundraising.  A number of other events are planned including a karaoke night at a local pub and a football match at Jubilee playing fields.

 

The team recently braved the cold and stripped to their swimming costumes to be pictured with the crew of the MD902 helicopter at its Dunsfold base near Horsham.

 

 

“The Air Ambulance is fully funded by charitable donations and serves our community in times of our greatest need. Any one us may need to call upon it at any time.

 

“All we ask is for sponsorship for our very large challenge – no amount is too large or small.

 

“Whilst we are amateur swimmers we are all training very hard in order to accomplish this amazing challenge.  The Channel is one of the dirtiest and busiest shipping lanes in the World, but we’re going to get on with it and I’m sure the adrenalin and all our supporters will get us through on the day.”

 

Swimmers are still needed to fish out their Speedo’s for the Cross Channel Swim to help raise money for the helicopter which needs £1.7m-a-year to stay airborne.

 

Teams of six swimmers will be smearing on the goose fat as they bid to match the feat famously achieved by Little Britain star David Walliams four years ago.

 

The 21-mile relay swim is one of five major events being held to celebrate the 20^th anniversary of the Kent Air Ambulance.

 

Each team will consist of two supporters and six swimmers who will take it in turns to swim for an hour.

 

Only five boats are available so anyone interested is urged to reserve their boat now.

 

West Sussex fundraiser Delaine Shearman said: “This is a first for the charity, we’ve never been involved in anything like this. It’s a unique opportunity.

 

“It’s going to be gruelling but something that participants can be very proud to be part of. It’s not something you stumble across every day.”

 

“More people have climbed Mount Everest than swum the channel, that’s how challenging it is. We really do need teams in Sussex as well.”

 

 

Only 10 per cent of people who try to swim the English Channel actually manage to complete the crossing.

 

The Air Ambulance swim is to be held between July 8 and 12 although an exact date is yet to be confirmed, depending on weather and tides.

 

If you would like to take part call Delaine Shearman on 07738 486633.

 

A minimum sponsorship of £6,000 per team is needed. To sponsor Sarah and the team visit

 www.justgiving.com/BillingshurstChannelHoppers