A team of six swimmers from East Dorset Open Water Club completed their Channel Relay swim on Wednesday 6th August in the very creditable time of 12 hours and 3 minutes. They were raising sponsorship money for the Marine Conservation Society (mcsuk.org), the UK Charity for our seas in its Silver Jubilee year, and Rett Syndrome Association (rettsyndrome.org.uk).

The team was (in team order) Barry Alldrick, Sarah Day, Mark Vides, Rebecca Christian-Drage, Danni Callahan and Jennie Boyt. Alison Streeter, "Queen of the Channel" who has already made 43 successful crossings, saw them off from Dover. Alison’s brother Neil skippered the "Suva" and Rebecca’s dad Lee was also on the boat supporting the team.

Team Manager Bob Holman said that after a rigorous training schedule, which began in January, the team was well prepared to take on the challenge. Each swimmer performed magnificently on the day showing great courage and determination and was very supportive of each other. After a weeklong wait for better weather, the swim started at Abbot’s Cliff just east of Folkestone at 2.10am with the first 3 hours in the dark. The sea was still fairly choppy and there was some seasickness on the boat. However, as the day progressed, the wind began to drop making conditions more favourable.

Each swimmer swam for an hour so that every member of the team had two swims with Barry Alldrick finally landing in a cove just east of Cap-Gris-Nes. The team including Bob swam ashore amid great celebrations with the boat’s hooter marking a successful crossing. A gathering crowd of French holidaymakers witnessed this joyful scene.

The team is still collecting sponsorship for its two charities. If you wish to give to these worthy causes, please contact Bob Holman on 01305-848262 or Tracey Drage on 01300-341070.

Picture shows the team just before setting off from Dover Harbour. From left to right: Bob Holman, Danni Callahan, Jennie Boyt, Sarah Day, Rebecca Christian-Drage, Barry Alldrick, Alison Streeter (Queen of the Channel) and Mark Vides.

The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) is celebrating 25 years of protecting our precious seas, shores and wildlife this year. MCS is running a series of events and initiatives in 2008 to highlight the need for better protection of our seas, celebrate the wildlife they support and give opportunities for people to take an active part - on land or at sea. See www.mcsuk.org

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Editor’s notes:

1) The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) is the UK charity dedicated to the protection of our seas, shores and wildlife. MCS campaigns for clean seas and beaches, sustainable fisheries, and protection of marine life and their habitats. MCS provides information and guidance on many aspects of marine conservation and produces the annual Good Beach Guide (www.goodbeachguide.co.uk), the Good Fish Guide and www.fishonline.org on sustainable seafood, as well as promoting public participation in volunteer projects and surveys such as Beachwatch, Adopt-a-Beach, Seasearch and Basking Shark Watch. MCS is currently calling for an effective Marine Bill for England and the UK and complimentary legislation in Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland, to deliver better protection for marine species and habitats, including a network of highly protected marine reserves and a system for marine spatial planning. www.mcsuk.org

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Marine Conservation Society . Unit 3 Wolf Business Park . Alton Road . Ross On Wye . HR9 5NB
01989 566017 . info@mcsuk.org . www.mcsuk.org

Scottish Office . 3 Coates Place . Edinburgh . EH3 7AA . 0131 2266360 . scotland@mcsuk.org
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