Two teenagers from Ware Swimming Club in Hertfordshire are preparing to take on one of the toughest open water challenges in the world by swimming the English Channel. Billy Cyl, 18, and Rachael Carpenter, 19, will be part of a four-person relay team swimming the 21 miles from Dover to Cap-Gris Nez in France this month.
Endurance feat for charity
Their endurance feat will raise vital funds for YMM, a charity that supports the health and wellbeing of young people. The biggest challenge for the team will be the cold water, with no wet suits allowed, along with encountering jellyfish, busy passing shipping traffic and changing tides and currents.
Billy and Rachael have been training hard in lakes and the sea for the last year. Just last week they took part in a night swim at Milford on Sea, as there is a possibility, depending on the tide during their swim window, that they will have to swim through the night.
Fundraising efforts
Billy and Rachael were instrumental in helping to raise £850 a few weeks ago as part of a fundraising week for the channel swim at Ware Swimming Club. They are taking on this huge challenge to raise funds and awareness for YMM, a mental health charity supporting young people, which provides trained mentors free of charge in schools. Those mentors see students on a weekly one-to-one basis and they have waiting lists of students in all their schools as well as a waiting list of schools.
Billy explained: “The Channel Swim is probably one of the most famous swimming challenges in the world, so being part of this team is a truly incredible opportunity. But for me, what makes it even more meaningful is the chance to take on this challenge while supporting YMM and helping to raise awareness of the important work they do.”
He added: “I think it is easy to underestimate the amount of pressure and stress that young people can experience throughout school, particularly during exams and the difficult period leading up to results. Having the opportunity to support a charity that recognises and helps young people through these challenges means a great deal to me. YMM is a truly inspirational charity, and I feel very fortunate and grateful to be able to contribute in some small way. I would also like to thank all the organisers for giving me the opportunity to be part of the team and support such an important cause.”
Team and target
For Rachael, there were similar sentiments. She said: “I’m facing this challenge for a great charity that supports young people’s mental health and wellbeing. Support during your teenage years is really important and without charities like YMM lots of young people miss out on vital support. It’s going to be a huge challenge but hopefully we can raise some much needed awareness and funds to support YMM.”
The team, completed by Daisy-Mai Crossman and Katy Halford, has raised almost £8,500 already on their Just Giving page and their target is £15,000.
The charity said on its JustGiving page: “This challenge reflects what we believe. When young people are given the opportunity and the right support, they can achieve much more than they think. These four swimmers are proving that with every mile that they take on. Your donation will help us reach more schools and support more young people who need someone in their corner.”
