Isle of Wight Radio will be taking part in this year’s West Wight Solent Swim, for the fundraiser's ten year anniversary.
In just over two weeks time (Saturday 29), 32 swimmers will set off from Hurst Castle and make the 1.3-mile journey across to Colwell Bay.
This year’s event will see Isle of Wight Radio’s Iona Stewart-Richardson take part, for the West Wight Sports and Community Centre.
It is the charity’s biggest fundraiser of the year and has so far raised around £250,000 for the centre.
General Manager of the Centre Clare Griffin’s advice to competitors is to “keep swimming” but also to remember to look up when you are halfway through and see the “spectacular view of The Needles”.
Speaking to Isle of Wight Radio, she said:
“We run it as a fundraiser for the charity but also as a challenge for people to sign up to early in the year and use as a personal fitness challenge.
“Obviously it is quite something for people to be able to say that they have swum the Solent and so the feeling of satisfaction and achievement is quite inspirational to people”
“The West Wight Sports and Community Centre provide sports and physical activity and activities that support people’s mental health and wellbeing
“We run a lot of community activities as well so the money raised allows us to continue to provide those essential services such as community cafes and activities, it keeps the swimming pool going and it keeps everything going, which have been crucial to our community”
For the event to go ahead, each swimmer needs to be paired with a kayaker, you can sign up to be a kayaker here.
Isle of Wight Radio's Iona Stewart-Richardson said:
'This has been on my bucket list since I moved to the Island. I love the sea and always take advantage of it on this stunning Island. I would love the Island to get behind the West Wight Sports and Community Centre - which does so many amazing things in the local community on so many levels and PLEASE sponsor me!'
If you would like to sponsor Isle of Wight Radio’s Iona Stewart-Richardson you can do so here.
If you want to come and watch and support the swimmers on the morning of Saturday 29 August arrive at Colwell Bay and cheer them on (whilst social-distancing) the first swimmers are expected to arrive from 8.30am