A FIRST: Five ordinary guys in wetsuits take on a swimming relay race and attempt to cross the English channel from Guernsey in the Channel Islands to South Devon in England in 48 hours = The Great Big Monster Sea Swim.
The FIRST EVER swim relay crossing from Guernsey in the Channel Islands to South Devon in England called the Great Big Monster Sea Swim (GBMSS) is announced today. The five man team; Paul, Karl, John, Bruce and Jon will swim the non-stop relay from 27-29 August 2012 and attempt to make the crossing in only 48 hours whilst raising funds for Teenage Cancer Trust. The Great Big Monster Sea Swim is the headline event of The Sanofi 1000 Mile Challenge which centres around health and fitness activities and encourages all Sanofi Group employees in the UK and Ireland to challenge themselves to achieve over 1000 miles collectively over the next year thereby raising over £100,000 for Teenage Cancer Trust.
Paul Irwin, GBMSS team member comments, “Training has been underway since January as we have to be seriously prepared for what we will face – anything from tankers in the dark to mental exhaustion. The team are really excited and slightly apprehensive about the challenge as there will be tough decisions to make that may hurt the individual but benefit the team”.
Six time world swimming champion and Teenage Cancer Trust supporter, Mark Foster comments, “The Sanofi 1000 Mile Challenge for Teenage Cancer Trust is a great initiative centred around promoting wellbeing and personal growth. As well as inspiring and encouraging participants to challenge themselves, they will also be raising money for an important cause.”
The GBMSS team is proud to be wearing sailfish wetsuits and Saltrock Surfwear and grateful for the support of both Enigma Charters who are providing a 72ft boat and skipper to carry the support crew and Lifedge for providing equipment.
To sponsor the Great Big Monster Sea Swim and help raise funds for Teenage Cancer Trust, please go donate by going online at www.justgiving.com/GBMSS or text GBMS 81 to 70070.
To follow the swim team’s journey visit Paul Irwin’s blog here, http://sanofi-inspires.co.uk/blog/12 and also follow the team’s progress on twitter @GBMSS.