Six Elizabeth College students are aiming to
swim 10,000 metres over three hours at next weekend’s Sure
Swimarathon.
Oliver Horton, Xander Barnes, Jem Bishop, Jack
Mancini, Tom Hutchinson and Sam Berry have all taken part in the
event, which is organised by the Round Table and Lions Club, before
but this year instead of swimming for the usual one hour, they will
swim for three from 6pm until 9pm next Friday.
“We have always enjoyed taking part in the
Swimarathon and decided that this year we wanted more of a
challenge,” said Oliver, who did last weekend’s Castle Swim as part
of his preparation.
The Year 10 students, who are all 14, have been
practising in Elizabeth College’s swimming pool and hope to swim
200 laps or 400 lengths of Beau Sejour’s pool. They are allowed a
two minute break every hour and plan to drink energy drinks to get
them through the three hour session.
They have already collected £150 in sponsorship
and hope to double that by next weekend.
Brian Allen who is in charge of swimming at
Elizabeth College said that none of the boys attended swimming
clubs.
“They are just genuine lads who want to help.
Off their own backs, they have come up with the idea and we wish
them lots of luck,” he said.
Elizabeth College will be entering 15 other
teams throughout the weekend.
“We have a long-standing history with the
Swimarathon, as do many schools across the board. It’s a social
event as well as an opportunity to raise money and we’re all
looking forward to taking part in what is a lovely weekend,” said
Mr Allen.
Chairman of the Sure Swimarathon organising
committee Jeff Kitts said he was delighted with the support from
the schools.
“The schools have always been an integral part
of the Swimarathon and we have organised the Sure Swimarathon at
Large on the Friday morning at St Sampson’s High to make sure there
is enough room for all the teams. We’re delighted that Elizabeth
College has entered 16 teams and even more impressed that one of
those teams has set themselves the challenge of swimming for three
hours. We’ll be keeping a close eye on their lap tally and hope
that they can beat their target,” he said.
“Spaces are filling up fast but with a week to
go, we still have some spare times and would love to hear from
businesses, clubs, pubs and any other organisations who might like
to get a team together.”
The Sure Swimarathon takes place from 9th to
11th October 2009 and half of the money raised will go to Guernsey
Cheshire Home. Entry forms are available from Beau Sejour, Sure’s
shop in the High Street and Cable & Wireless offices in Upland
Road and at Centenary House. Further information and entry forms
are also available from
www.swimarathon.org.
Aiming for 10,000 metres: A team of six
Elizabeth College students is planning to swim for three hours at
next weekend’s Sure Swimarathon. Clockwise from top is Oliver
Horton, Xander Barnes, Jem Bishop and Jack Mancini. Tom Hutchinson
and Sam Berry were unavailable.