Bristol Channel challenge for charity swimmers
A team of 10 firefighters are to swim the Bristol Channel in a bid to raise cash for sufferers of post traumatic stress disorder.
Officers from Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service will swim 36 nautical miles in aid of Healing The Wounds, which supports Armed Forces
personnel, veterans and their families.
The colleagues set off from Illfracombe on June 25 and hope to cover a mile an hour reaching Mumbles by 4pm the following day.
The firefighters have been training for the swim since January. Watch manager Gareth Davies said he was keen to get the challenge underway.
“We did a couple of training swims in January to get the feel of the water and the air,” he said. “It was horrendous! Since the end of February we have been swimming across the bay in Swansea. Some days it has been glorious, some days the wind and swell of the water means we have hardly moved.
“But we have done a lot of preparation and we are excited about it. I’m ready to go now! It will be hard going, but it will be worth it for this important charity.”
The firefighters chose to raise funds for Healing The Wounds after hearing about its work from a former serviceman.
“As firefighters we understand that people who put their lives on the line
need emotional and psychological support, and that is what Healing the
Wounds offer,” said Mr Davies.
Kevin Richards, executive director of Healing The Wounds, said: “Firefighters risk their safety to help other people, so they are able to understanding the demanding nature of life in the forces.
“Swimming the Bristol Channel is a huge undertaking, which will really take the firefighters out of their comfort zone. It is great news that they are willing to do all this to raise money for Healing The Wounds.
“We are grateful for their efforts and will make sure the money is used where it is most needed – to help sufferers of post traumatic stress disorder.”
If you wish to sponsor the firefighters, visit Mid and West Wales Fire Service or Virgin Money Giving websites and follow the links.
For more information on Healing The Wounds visit www.healingthewounds.co.uk
Gareth Davies, Mark Butler, Andy Francis, Steve Richards and Andy Mills.
Officers from Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service will swim 36 nautical miles in aid of Healing The Wounds, which supports Armed Forces
personnel, veterans and their families.
The colleagues set off from Illfracombe on June 25 and hope to cover a mile an hour reaching Mumbles by 4pm the following day.
The firefighters have been training for the swim since January. Watch manager Gareth Davies said he was keen to get the challenge underway.
“We did a couple of training swims in January to get the feel of the water and the air,” he said. “It was horrendous! Since the end of February we have been swimming across the bay in Swansea. Some days it has been glorious, some days the wind and swell of the water means we have hardly moved.
“But we have done a lot of preparation and we are excited about it. I’m ready to go now! It will be hard going, but it will be worth it for this important charity.”
The firefighters chose to raise funds for Healing The Wounds after hearing about its work from a former serviceman.
“As firefighters we understand that people who put their lives on the line
need emotional and psychological support, and that is what Healing the
Wounds offer,” said Mr Davies.
Kevin Richards, executive director of Healing The Wounds, said: “Firefighters risk their safety to help other people, so they are able to understanding the demanding nature of life in the forces.
“Swimming the Bristol Channel is a huge undertaking, which will really take the firefighters out of their comfort zone. It is great news that they are willing to do all this to raise money for Healing The Wounds.
“We are grateful for their efforts and will make sure the money is used where it is most needed – to help sufferers of post traumatic stress disorder.”
If you wish to sponsor the firefighters, visit Mid and West Wales Fire Service or Virgin Money Giving websites and follow the links.
For more information on Healing The Wounds visit www.healingthewounds.co.uk
Gareth Davies, Mark Butler, Andy Francis, Steve Richards and Andy Mills.
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