MEMBERS of Halstead Swimming Club set themselves a challenge to see how far they could swim in 12 hours in a sponsored event to raise money for new competitive diving blocks and to support local charity EACH.
The swim commenced at 6pm and finished at 6am, with swimmers ranging from the age of seven upwards including parents and coaches.
The team swam a grand total of 10,404 lengths - 260 kilometres or 160 miles - which is equivalent to swimming from Halstead to Calais with 20 miles to spare.
The star of the night was senior Esme Scott, who swam a grand total of 706 lengths equating to 11 miles.
Swimmers included: Franklin Farren, Wilbur Reeve, Jamie Hall, Ben Styman-Heighton, Ben Walker, Harry Salmon, Frankie Salmon, Rose Vinter, Alice Gee, Rosy Bird, Hannah Jacob, Esme Scott, Abigail Gowers, Amber Pryor, Rachel Alexander, Millie Amerio, Sofia Aldous, Bethany Salmon, Olivia Cartwright, Georgia Cartwright, Molly Gerrard, Katherine Daynes, Iona Bradbury, Abbi Stoney, Eloise Conway, Isabella Ottevanger, Sophie Andrews, Cordelia Dyer, Darcy Chaplin, Daisy Candler, Arwen Mortimer, Sadie - Marie Bell, Maya Scott Daniel Andrews, Lewis Craig, Sam Jones, Ethan Howard, William Gerrard, Charlie Morgan, Louis Dove, Jasmine Bale, Thomas Bale, James Rulton, Ellie Walker, Lilia Haylock, Jack Weaver, Ruby Weaver, Sam Hume, Paul Salmon, Helen Reeve, Chistopher Reeve, Georgina Farren, Karen Scott, Donna Hall, Diane Jacob, Roy Bird, Sian Bird, Lawrence Gowers, Matt Bale, Lawrence Gowers, Paula Alexander, Eva Lopez, Julian Weaver, Darren Vinter and head coach Roger Duncombe.
Halstead Leisure Centre kindly donated the facility and the club thanked manager Jonathan Bash and his team of lifeguards Ellie Walker, James Walker, Rebecca Neale and Sam Johnson who all donated their time to staff the event.
A set of five new blocks costs about £12,000 and this is just the start of the clubs fundraising.
They are looking for sponsorship to support this project and anyone able to help can contact secretary Donna Hall on dsdtdkjwhall@tiscali.co.uk
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