School swim team channel effort into £25k
YOUNGSTERS are on the crest of a wave after completing the gruelling challenge of swimming the English Channel.
A team of 10 pupils from Beech Hall School, in Tytherington, negotiated the 21-mile swim to raise £25,000 for learning disability charity Mencap.
They took on the crossing in two relay teams of five, going for an hour each before change overs.
Both groups began when it was dark and the first leg swimmer for each had to jump off a boat into the sea near Dover, swim to shore, then begin again from the water’s edge.
The first team was Katie Ann Smith, 15, Harold Ghorbanian, 14, Ben Pope, 14, Charlie Barnes, 15, and Luke Francis, 14.
While the second included Lyon Lee, 16, Matthew Plant, 16, Blake Lyons, 13, Adam Leach, 16, and Sophie McKenzie, 16.
Nikki Pope, swimming coach at the school, said: “It is hard to put into words how incredible it was to witness this group of students complete this very difficult challenge.
“Each and every swimmer on the team is exceptional and I am so proud of them for embracing the experience.
“The past year of training, through Covid and other challenges culminated into one of the most exciting weekends we have ever had at Beech Hall.”
Both teams took between 12 and 13 hours to reach Wissant, in France, where a crowd of around 200 on the sea wall welcomed them.
They had trained since September 2020 at Beech Hall’s pool as well as at Sale Water Park, Salford Quays,
Colwyn Bay and the in the Lake District.
Headteacher James Allen added: “They have practised swimming in sub-fivedegree water in order to understand that they can withstand so much more than they initially believe.
Not only am I impressed with their resilience and mental strength in completing the relay, I am inspired by each and every one of our swimmers.
“Witnessing them accomplish this challenge is a memory that I will never forget.”
Mencap chief executive Edel Harris, thanked the students for their fundraising swim and described it as an ‘amazing effort’.
TO donate online go to uk.virginmoneygiving. com/MencapMarvels BeechHall.