As we enter the Christmas period, we all know that we will end up eating and drinking more than we should, and we all know that come January, we will have to start thinking about “getting fit”.
Norfolk’s BUILD Charity are this week launching a swimming challenge aimed at people like you, who can manage just a few lengths, or a gentle half mile, or those who are an endurance swimmer looking to push themselves in the new year.
In August last year, Security industry professional John Creek took on the amazing challenge of a double channel swim between England and France and back again. A feat achieved by less than 50 people in history. The beneficiaries of the sponsored challenge were people in Norfolk with disabilities who rely on the social, leisure and learning activity programme provided by Norfolk’s BUILD Charity, to reduce their social isolation and low self-esteem.
John’s swim got off to a good start, after nearly two years of training but fatigue and multiple stings by jellyfish in the English Channel meant that he had to abandon the return journey once he had completed a single crossing in 17 hours and 45 minutes. Indeed, the day after John’s attempt, a swimmer died making a similar bid.
On Saturday 4th February, John will return to the water, but this time the warmer, calmer and jellyfish free waters of the UEA Sportspark in Norwich, to join with those who shared his disappointment at not completing his challenge, as part of a bid by people with disabilities and their supporters to come together with John to complete the missing 21 miles, 32km or 1,280 lengths of the 25m pool.
The BUILD Charity, which in 2017 will be celebrating its 50th anniversary is looking for teams from Norfolk businesses, schools, clubs and organisations to join John and “Team BUILD” by taking responsibility for completing some of those 1,280 lengths of the pool to complete the Double Channel Challenge.
“The Sportspark are delighted to be able to support this fantastic event and help John and BUILD Charity complete such a mammoth sporting challenge by staging the event at the regions premier sporting facility” – Liam Playford, Aquatics Manager
How to get involved
Swimmers will be able to register as individuals or as teams of 4 people and will be allocated one of the 60 single, or multiple “swim-slots” of 30 minutes’ duration between 14.00 and 20.00 on Saturday 4th February 2017.
Each swimmer will make a £5 personal donation to the BUILD Charity as part of their registration process, and will be allocated a paper or web-based sponsorship form to collect support from their friends, colleagues and supporters. In return, each swimmer will get a certificate showing the number of metres they swam as part of the Channel Challenge and the gratification that their efforts will have made a difference to the lives of people with disabilities in Norfolk as all money raised will be used to support social, leisure and learning opportunities.
Corporate, club or organisation teams can compete for a special trophy, being awarded to the tem whose swimmers complete the most lengths, so they can get the year off to a start with real bragging rights.
Initial registration can be done by e mailing [email protected] to request a registration form, and on receipt of the form and fee, a link to a personalised paper, or web-based site to start fundraising.
For additional information:
James Kearns – The BUILD Charity 01603 618029 [email protected]
The BUILD Charity www.buildcharity.co.uk
BUILD is a Norfolk based, independent registered charity,providing social, leisure, and learning opportunitiesfor people with disabilities.