Channel Attack 2023 - English Channel Relay Swim
Wednesday 13th September 2023
UK
Claire Atkins
1547
Channel Attack 2023 - English Channel Relay Swim
An adventure a year in the making...
This time last year my Australian cousin Ben messaged me, asking if I wanted to be part of an English Channel relay team. "Hell no!" was my first response, but very quickly I remembered I was soon to be 50, and if I didn't do it now, when would I have the chance again? A year later, having swum a lot of miles in the pool, sea, rivers and lakes, and taken advantage of all my swimming friends to keep me company, we are fast approaching our swimming 'slot'.
A channel relay involves a team (in our case 6 of us) taking it in turns to each swim for an hour, until we cover the 22 miles from Dover to France. At all times we are accompanied by a boat with an experienced pilot and crew who will navigate us through the busy shipping lane (fingers crossed).
All the rest of my team are from Australia so my swim training has been carried out remotely with them - our coach Mike Gregory, sending us all weekly programmes to complete, with LOTS of WhatsApp chats, so I feel like I'm part of the gang already. I can't wait to actually meet them all in person!
I would love it if you could help me raise money for 2 charities that are very important to me.
The first is Kids for Kids - a charity transforming the lives of children, families and whole communities in war-torn Darfur. You can read more here:- https://www.kidsforkids.org.uk/
The other is Hector's House - a very dear friend lost her husband to suicide this year, and this charity not only aim to prevent suicide and promote mental health awareness, but has provided support and counselling to the family, You can read more here:- https://hectorshouse.org.uk/
If your loyalties lie more with Australia, then the rest of the team are fundraising for two Aussie mental health charities - How's Ya Mate and Lifeline Broken Hill Country to Coast - https://ben-and-brendans-channel-attack.raisely.com
When I'm swimming through jellyfish, and dodging ferries (and I don't even want to think about what else) the thought that each stroke is helping contribute something to these charities will be really inspiring and keep me slogging on.
Thank you!
£2,690.00
+£481.25 Gift Aid
raised of £750 target
by 114 supporters
Supporters 114
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J7 months
John Holder
I always intended to give the other half on completion. Well done!
£ 100.00 (+£25.00)
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S7 months, 4 weeks
Shelley Brown
Wow, what an absolutely fantastic achievement and experience. Congratulations, Shelley x
£ 20.00
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T8 months
Tony Skilton
Well done Claire a fantastic achievement x
🏊♀️ 🇫🇷 🏊♀️ 🏴 🏊♀️ 😘😘£ 10.00 (+£2.50)
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L8 months
Laura Mesiano
Good luck Claire & team! What an amazing (if not a little scary!) experience, and all for a good cause xx
£ 10.00
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J8 months
Jean Gill
I have given to Kids for Kids as I also know that was a charity your Mum supported.
Well done for your amazing swim . Very brave and always a smile , however scary What an achievement xxx£ 20.00 (+£5.00)
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R8 months, 1 week
Reg & Ian
Well done Claire - what a fabulous challenge - looking forward to hearing all about this. Go girl go!
£ 10.00 (+£2.50)
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A
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W8 months, 1 week
William Monteen
Claire!! Wishing you and the team the very best of luck. An amazing challenge for two wonderful causes! Vic, Will, Ella, Lois & Grace xx
£ 20.00 (+£5.00)
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I8 months, 1 week
Isla
Super impressive challenge you’ve set yourself! Good luck and go smash it! Xx
£ 10.00 (+£2.50)
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8 months, 1 weekAnonymous
£ 10.00 (+£2.50)
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E8 months, 1 week
Emma Dadd
Good Luck Claire. You’re mad but wonderful at the same time. Stay safe and can’t wait to hear all about it xx
£ 10.00
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L8 months, 1 week
Lynn
Well done Claire and team. Fantastic charities. Best of luck. Lots of love Lynn, Paul and Charlotte xxx
£ 30.00
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C8 months, 1 week
Clare Honour
Best of luck Claire and team, you are all amazing!!xx
£ 10.00 (+£2.50)
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K8 months, 1 week
Karin Handley
As always NO !
But then again this is amazing 🤩 well done 👏 and good luck 🤞🏼 and this time YES ! X£ 20.00 (+£5.00)
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8 months, 1 week
The Manwarings
So impressed with your dedication and so glad Ben asked you and not me!
£ 25.00 (+£6.25)
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C8 months, 1 week
Charlotte Crowfoot
Good luck Claire, hoping the training at Warleigh weir in Bath helped !! Lovely to of met you there with Ruth !!
£ 20.00 (+£5.00)
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T8 months, 1 week
Tracey & Liam D
Good luck Claire, an amazing thing to do and for great causes xx
£ 20.00 (+£5.00)
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R8 months, 1 week
Ruth Miller
You have done so well what an inspiration
Look forward to all our swims.£ 30.00
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M8 months, 1 week
Mark Whittle
You’ve done bloody amazing with your hard work and commitment, I know you’ll smash it. Good Luck xx
£ 50.00 (+£12.50)
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M8 months, 2 weeks
Marianne & Mike
Don't drop the baton - amazing thing to do, feel exhausted just thinking about it - and great causes.
£ 20.00 (+£5.00)
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S8 months, 2 weeks
SMART Criminal Defence
Go on Team Catkins Website Designer extraordinaire!
£ 10.00 (+£2.50)
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M8 months, 2 weeks
Mark Cooper
Amazing challenge- admiration and love from the Cooper’s
£ 20.00 (+£5.00)
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J8 months, 2 weeks
Jane & David
Such wonderful charities - and how amazing are you Claire & the rest of your crew - enjoy and can’t wait to hear all about it - what an adventure for you !
£ 20.00
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S8 months, 3 weeks
Sue and Simon Rumble
Best of luck Claire. Stay safe. This is an incredibly tough challenge and you have worked so hard towards it. Amazing well done x
£ 20.00 (+£5.00)
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L8 months, 3 weeks
Liv & Jase
Good luck Claire! Well done with all your training, you’re amazing! Xxx
£ 30.00 (+£7.50)
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T9 months
Trina and Mark
You go Claire! You'll smash it.
Absolutely amazed by what you're doing!
Just don't watch The Meg 2 before you go :-)
xx£ 30.00 (+£7.50)
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H9 months
Hollis Family
Best of Luck Claire, After all that training you will smash it. x
£ 50.00 (+£12.50)
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P9 months
Paul & Michael
Well done on all your training and best of luck. Avoid the ships and don't swallow the water! xxx
£ 50.00 (+£12.50)
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A9 months
Ali Niecey
I am SO PROUD of my fab Aunty. Cheering you every step of the way. Lots of love xxxx
£ 20.00
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N9 months, 1 week
Nic, Ben, Amelie, Hattie & Jude
You are amazing! We know you will smash it. Loads of love and luck. xxx
£ 50.00 (+£12.50)
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C9 months, 1 week
Chris Mackley
Good luck Claire - make sure you swim in the right direction....
£ 50.00
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L9 months, 1 week
Lynn and Mick
Good luck Claire
You are one brave (slightly crazy) woman xxx£ 10.00 (+£2.50)
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W9 months, 2 weeks
Way Moving Group
Good Luck Claire! From Justin & Matt and all at Way Moving Group
£ 100.00 (+£25.00)
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J9 months, 2 weeks
John Holder
How exciting! Happy to contribute. Patricia P being local, I have supported Kids for Kids for years.
£ 100.00 (+£25.00)
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L9 months, 2 weeks
Louise Veragoo
Well done Claire, what an amazing challenge. Watch out for the ships and just keep swimming!
£ 30.00 (+£7.50)
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J9 months, 2 weeks
Jill and Paul
Good luck to you and all of your team, Claire! Such a great thing to do. We’ll be cheering you all on xx
£ 50.00 (+£12.50)
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9 months, 2 weeks
Anonymous
£ 20.00
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M9 months, 2 weeks
Mark Mills
Good luck Claire, what an amazing adventure. hope you have a great swim and avoid the jelly fish x
£ 100.00
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J9 months, 2 weeks
Julie
Good luck you will all do amazingly well, such good causes, well done 👏👏👏
£ 10.00 (+£2.50)
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C9 months, 2 weeks
Chris and Deborah Burke
We’re wishing you all the best. Hope to see you when Benj is over. We’ll be following you all with interest. Lots of love xx
£ 25.00 (+£6.25)
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M9 months, 2 weeks
Mick Hooker
Good luck Claire… I hope a great white shark doesn’t come along 🦈
£ 20.00
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L9 months, 2 weeks
Lesley & Mark Wilson
Great causes Claire, wishing you loads of luck, you will smash it.
£ 30.00 (+£7.50)
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A9 months, 2 weeks
Alison and Mark Tate
You are Superwoman! Good luck with your amazing swim. We know you’ll smash it 😊
£ 25.00 (+£6.25)
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L9 months, 2 weeks
Lucy Meadows
Give it your best Victoria Wood! Best of luck Claire - its an incredible thing and I'm sure you'll smash it xxx
£ 20.00 (+£5.00)
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J9 months, 2 weeks
Jayne chamberlain
You have already been amazing Claire in your dedication to the hard training you've put in. You are an inspiration and I know you'll smash this swim and all for two great charities 💖😘
£ 20.00
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z9 months, 2 weeks
zammits
You are amazing Claire and always give anything a go. We will be rooting for you and wish you and the team the best of luck. You’ll smash it!! Swim claire swim 😉💖
£ 30.00
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K9 months, 2 weeks
Karen Coupland
Good luck Claire... What an amazing challenge!! Xx
£ 10.00 (+£2.50)
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H9 months, 2 weeks
Helen Phillips
You will be brilliant, you have worked so hard in all your training! so very proud of you and a bit jealous (😂). Lots of love Helen xx
£ 30.00 (+£7.50)
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