Skipton Swimarathon breaks £60k barrier

The Christmas wishes of the Skipton Swimarathon committee have been granted, as they announce that funds raised this year for local charities has now exceeded the £60,000 mark. Donations have continued to trickle through since the completion of the 47th Skipton Swimarathon last month, raising funds for two local mental health charities: Youth Commission of Guernsey & Alderney, and Guernsey Mind.

The remainder of the funding will be split between other local charitable causes chosen by the Lions Club of Guernsey and the Guernsey Round Table.

John Stuart, Chairman of the committee, said: “We have been blown away by the community’s participation and enthusiasm this year. Mental health was a cause that touched many people’s hearts and, as we look forward to Christmas, when it can be a challenging and lonely time for some, it will give people comfort to know that the two chosen charities have the funding to continue with their excellent work on the island.”

Jo Cottell, chair of Guernsey Mind said: “Thank you to everyone involved with the Skipton Swimarathon. This donation will make such a difference to our work within the Bailiwick an encouraging a positive attitude towards mental health and supporting mental wellbeing.”

Lou Leale, CEO of the Youth Commission for Guernsey and Alderney said: “The Youth Commission had a great time supporting the Swimarathon and really got into the spirit of things by entering a team! We are so thankful to be one of the beneficiaries of this year’s Skipton Swimarathon, the money raised will be spent on resources for our youth clubs and targeted groups to help us raise young people’s awareness of mental health issues, reducing stigma, signposting and also offering support when needed. Money will also be used to provide workshops within our services and within schools related to mental health, where we can offer advice and support on topics such as stress management, resilience, and self-care.”

Skipton International has supported the Swimarathon for the past 13 years, and it is the highlight of the social calendar for swimmers, schools, and community groups. The website can be found at: www.swimarathon.org