Skipton Swimarathon celebrates prize winners

The swimming achievements and fundraising efforts of those who took part in the Skipton Swimarathon were celebrated last night [21 October] at an awards ceremony at Beau Sejour. 30 awards were handed out by the island’s largest fundraising event for most laps swum, money raised and personal special efforts.

Dr. Nicola Brink was due to present the awards but understandably was unable to attend due to more pressing matters. However, Stephen Collas, the Chairman of the main 2020 beneficiary from the Swimarathon, the Guernsey Alzheimers Association, stepped in at the last moment to do the honours.

Over 1500 local students and 1300+ adults took part this year, the most successful since the Swimarathon first started in 1976.

La Mare de Carteret Primary School collected the awards for most laps swum by a Junior School and the La Mare de Carteret High School won  the Under 16 category, with Melrose School having raised the largest sum of donations for a Junior School and St.Sampsons High School the most cash out of all the teams taking part. Praxis FM was the finance firm to have collected the most donations in the Finance category entering 8 teams into the Swimarathon.

Nick Guillemette, Chairman of the Skipton Swimarathon Committee said: “Once again this event has been a triumph and provided great cause for celebration amongst the community. We would like to thank each and every person who swam, donated or supported this event in some way – you have all played a part in helping the Guernsey Alzheimer’s Association extend their reach within the community. This has been a record breaking year in terms of funds raised, but we are also very proud to have been able to put on the event against the challenging backdrop of the pandemic.”

Debbie Le Noury of the Beau Sejour Swim School received the Award for ‘Outstanding Contribution to the Swimarathon and all Island Swimming’. She has been teaching all age groups how to swim for over 40 years, with many of her students going on to represent the island at county level, the Island Games and Commonwealth Games.

‘ The Swimarathon is a fantastic event which brings so many swimmers together of all ages and abilities each year and has done so successfully  for 44years. It’s all about having fun whilst raising cash for excellent local causes’, Debbie said.

A special certificate was presented to Richard Coomer for raising over £1,600 through his participation in Outreach Guernsey’s and Guernsey Sports for the Disabled’s teams. Richard’s contribution to the event was by far the largest raised by any one individual.

Sarah Le Sauvage collected one of the special awards for being the ‘ Most Improved Swimmer’. She was nominated for this prestigious award by her club, the Guernsey Disability Swimming Club, for her tenacity, optimism and strength of character.

The Skipton Swimarathon raised over £65,000 for local charitable causes, with donations still being collected. Half of this sum will be donated to the main beneficiary, the Guernsey Alzheimer’s Association, allowing the charity to expand its invaluable Sitters Service within the Bailiwick, providing much needed respite and support for the carers of those suffering with  dementia.