In its 10th year Swim2Bestival has raised an astonishing £22,183 for charity, adding to the grand total raised over the years that now sits at nearly £100,000.
Swimming across a 1.3 mile stretch of the Solent, one of Europe’s busiest shipping ways, is never an easy task but this year some very tough conditions and strong winds made their feat all the more impressive.
Rob da Bank says:
“It seems like years ago that a small but hardy (and slightly nervous) bunch of us set out to swim the Solent! I have to stick my oar up at this point and admit i was cheating being on a paddleboard not being the best swimmer… everyone battled the tide, non-existent but worrying reports of sharks and jellyfish and altogether we’ve raised over £27k for charity. Good work swimmers!!
Launched in 2007 by an intrepid group of Bestivalites who wanted to liven up their journey to the festival, over the years, Swim2Bestival has attracted the great and good, including Basement Jaxx’ Simon Ratcliffe, Radio1 staff, several journalists, lots of very dedicated Bestival-goers and, this year, a group of Bestival staff who raised a further £5,484, bringing the 2016 total to a massive £27,667.
30% of this year’s total will be donated to the swim’s charity partner Ocean Youth Trust who use sailing as a personal development opportunity for young people aged 12-25. The remaining 70% will be given to individual swimmers’ charities of choice.
The grand total raised for charity by Swim2Bestival in 10 years now stands at a colossal £98,124, which makes the whole Bestival team very proud of what all of the swimmers and Swim2Bestival organisers have achieved. A huge well done to everyone who has taken part over the years.
