
Cowes RNLI volunteer completes fundraising swim across the Solent
Crys O'Connell, Cowes RNLI volunteer and RNLI administrator, swam across the Solent on Saturday morning to raise money for West Wight Sports & Community Centre.
The Solent swim is West Wight Sports & Community Centre’s flagship fundraiser, and takes place every year. Supported by a fleet of volunteer kayakers, support boats, and beach spotters, a team of swimmers aim to raise over £20,000 total. The proceeds will be used to support the community work of the Centre and ensure it can continue to operate.
The mile and a half swim, from Hurst Castle to Colwell Bay, is both a personal challenge and a race against the tide. The strong Solent tides mean there is only a very small window when the current is sufficiently low to allow the swim.
Crys has been training for the swim since January, and has previous experience with similar challenges, having completed the Bournemouth Pier-to-Pier swim raising money for the British Heart Foundation in 2017.
Crys said:
“Swimming has always been part of my life, learning from an early age, progressing to swim squads and then becoming a lifeguard, swimming teacher and lifeguard trainer. My work with the RNLI, as a volunteer as well as a member of staff, has continued to prove to me the importance of this life-saving skill. I am raising funds for this amazing community facility so that others can have the opportunities I did to learn to swim and enjoy the water safely.”
Crys completed the swim in 46 minutes, alongside 50 other swimmers fundraising for the same cause. Her fundraiser has already raised £430 – £130 above her initial target. Supporters can donate at the link below until 30 September:
https://www.totalgiving.co.uk/mypage/crys_swims_the_solent
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RNLI media contacts
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Sofia Voudouroglou, Cowes RNLI Volunteer Deputy Press Officer 07594051372/ [email protected]
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George Chastney, Cowes RNLI Volunteer Press Officer 07530 254052/ [email protected]
For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
About Cowes RNLI Station
Cowes Lifeboat Station is converted from a former HM Customs Watch House, the rear of which is 300 years old. It looks out onto one of the world’s busiest shipping waterways and carries out a range of interesting services every year. It is the only station to be opened by Queen Elizabeth II.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.