Seals Raise Funds for Royal Marsdon
POLLY GIFFORD
Many people will have stood on the beach in Hastings, staring out to sea and wondering what it would be like to swim out… and just keep going to France. In August, five women from in and around Hastings are going to find out, when we take on the challenge of swimming the Channel in a relay team.
Five seals: Berry, Cat, Hannah, Polly and Tash
We will swim at least 21 miles from England to France. Each of us will take it in turns to swim for an hour in rotation until we reach French soil. Swimming the Channel in a relay team takes an average of 15hrs but it can often take longer. No wetsuits either, just a cozzie, a cap and a smile!
We call ourselves The Sussex Seals (not related to the Worthing Mencap Sussex Seals) – Berry White, Cat Bray, Hannah Collison, Polly Gifford and Tash Holt – and we are raising funds for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. All of us know people who have faced the far greater challenge of a cancer diagnosis and we will be holding those people in our hearts and minds as we swim.
The motivations to do the swim can be very personal. “Following some health challenges a couple of years ago, I was keen to set myself a new physical challenge,” says Cat. “Why not be more like a seal! The sea is my happy place, and I’m looking forward to this adventure.”
“I’m from a family of swimmers,” says Hannah. “The toughest aspects so far have been cold water training – I get so numbingly cold! – the fear of the sea conditions changing and of course the fear of failure. I lost my mum to cancer last year so through these tough moments I have held in my mind the amazing bravery she showed through treatments that were unpredictably changeable and rough, like the sea.”
For Tash, swimming the Channel has always been on the bucket list, “I just never thought I would get the opportunity to actually do it alongside such an incredible group of women and for such a worthwhile cause. One of the biggest challenges will be the mental hurdles that will need to be overcome – sea sickness, swimming in the dark, sleep deprivation, sea creatures and the unknown of what’s beneath you, to name but a few!”
The swim is fulfilling a childhood ambition for Berry too: “Nature is my great love and the sea is a wild and mysterious unknown. I’ve always wanted to have a go at a cross-Channel swim. I know it will be tough but I’m excited for the challenge, and to raise money and awareness of the Royal Marsden, who have given lifesaving treatment to dear friends and family alike.”
For me, there are also some mixed emotions. I’m very conscious that I am choosing to cross this stretch of water, when many people make the journey out of desperation, fleeing war and persecution, with too many losing their lives in the attempt.
Whatever is driving us, The Sussex Seals will be giving everything they’ve got to this challenge. We are being generously supported by local businesses Kiley’s Karpets, David Neil Dental, PJ Skip Hire and accountants Ashdown Hurrey. We have already raised over £6K through our crowdfunder and are aiming for £10K. You can support us at justgiving.com/page/sussex-seals.
We hope you have enjoyed reading this article. The future of our volunteer led, non-profit publication would be far more secure with the aid of a small donation. You can also support local journalism by becoming a friend of HIP. It only takes a minute and we would be very grateful.
Oh well done Seals. I applaud you. What a wonderful thing to do. For the Royal Marsden, Hastings people never fail to amaze me. I adore swimming but have not been able to get into the sea because I can’t keep my balance on pebbles with my arthritis. I shall go to the crowdfunder. Lovely that local businesses are sponsoring.