Lower Sixth pupils Eren and Shaun are the ‘BC Buoys’, and in late July they will be swimming the English Channel in aid of Young Minds, the UK’s leading charity fighting for the mental health of young people. Below, the Buoys explain the motivation behind their epic fundraising challenge:
Ever since we were very young, we have had a passion for swimming. We have been inspired by others, including our teachers at the College, to take on the ultimate challenge in open-water swimming - the English Channel. We realise, however, that swimming the Channel is not as tough as the challenge faced by Young Minds in helping young people with their mental health – a situation that has been made worse by the lockdowns over the past year. With a shortest distance of 21 miles, the Channel presents significant physical and mental challenges. The Channel Swimming Association, which certifies official swims, has strict rules that include the use of no wetsuits. As a result, this persistent exposure to the cold water can, if a swimmer is not acclimatised, lead to problems such as hypothermia or hallucinations. To prepare for this, we have been training several times a week in the sea for the last few months.
If you would like to support us and help Young Minds to continue their work, please donate on our GoFundMe page: Fundraiser by BC Buoys : BC Buoys Channel Swim 2021 (gofundme.com).
- Eren and Shaun
