British Trio set to take on the Straits of Gibrlatar in record time
02nd July 2008
A trio of students from Oxford University’s swimming team are set to swim across the Straits of Gibraltar in aid of the Variety Club Children’s charity.
The three Oxford Blues, Lennard Lee, Harry Fisher and Nicholas Berry, are being backed by Gibraltar based Close & Marrache Limited as they aim to swim unaided across the entire length of the Straits and complete the swim in less than five hours. They are even hoping to set a new record and beat the time that Little Britain star, David Walliams’ achieved earlier this year.
The Straits of Gibraltar, widely heralded as the ‘Everest’ of open water swimming at 22 kilometres, is one of the toughest swims in the world - only 185 swimmers have completed the swim to date.
The Blues hope to raise £5,000 for the children’s charity, Variety Club and former Olympic champion and supporter of the charity Duncan Goodhew has been lending his support, by helping the boys prepare for this tough swim.
Lennard Lee said: “The Dean of my College thinks we are crazy to attempt the swim, but I like the prospect of challenging myself and seeing what I can achieve. This is a dream come true and a great way of finishing my time at Oxford.”
The students will fly out to Gibraltar on the 4th July and hope to complete the hazardous swim between the 5-11 July, dependant on tide and weather conditions.
The Straits are well known for their adverse conditions to swimmers, ranging from freezing temperatures and busy shipping lanes to sharks and killer whales.
Isaac Marrache, spokesperson for Close & Marrache Limited and chairman of Variety Club Gibraltar added: “We were impressed by the extent of Lennard, Harry and Nicholas’s enthusiasm and determination. We hope our support will help give them the recognition they deserve for taking on such a difficult challenge, while benefiting the Variety Club.”
Ronnie Nathan, International Vice President for the Variety Club, said: “It’s great that these guys are taking time out from their studies to raise vital funds for the Variety Club. Their teamwork and determination is an example to us all and all monies raised will enable Variety to continue to support disadvantaged children.”
Close & Marrache Limited lend their support to the students and the Variety Club at a time when they are currently seeking approval of banking and asset management licences to operate a new joint venture in Gibraltar.
For more information on the swim visit: www.gibstraits.com.