Attention: You are using an outdated browser, device or you do not have the latest version of JavaScript downloaded and so this website may not work as expected. Please download the latest software or switch device to avoid further issues.

News > School News > Liv and Gracie swim 'the Channel'

Liv and Gracie swim 'the Channel'

Over the past 6 months we have been delighted to hear about the many community-minded initiatives undertaken by our students. Read below to find out about Liv and Gracie's 'Channel' swim!
15 Sep 2020
School News
The Roedean Community certainly stepped up to the challenge of making a positive difference over the past 6 months, and we have been delighted to hear about the many community-minded initiatives and charity work undertaken by our students. One such incredible challenge was set by Liv and Gracie (Yr 13). The girls decided when the cross-Channel relay was cancelled that they would swim the same distance along the Sussex coast over 5 days in June, while raising money for Brighton based charities Off the Fence and Brighton Food Bank.

Gracie reflected on the experience: ‘Liv and I wanted to complete the Channel swim because, aside from the fact that we love a challenge, we wanted to do something to prove to ourselves that we could have completed the Channel crossing this year. Given that next year we will be doing our A levels, we were gutted that we would not be able to take part and didn’t want all our training to have been for nothing. Furthermore, as all other sports competitions that we otherwise would have been taking part in have been cancelled and the pools are closed, it was something for our training in lockdown to work towards. We both felt it was important to select local charities. During the Coronavirus outbreak, many of the most vulnerable in society have faced a heightened hardship. Reduced city footfall has meant the homeless have been unable to receive help and donations from passers-by. Lockdown restrictions have also meant that Brighton Food Bank has had to restrict their donations to purely financial, resulting in a significant reduction in the amount of food available to families in need; Off the fence is our school charity and we decided to also donate to them as they help the most vulnerable in society during this time.

Swimming over consecutive days was challenging both mentally and physically. It was particularly difficult at the end of the first swim knowing that we still had to get up the next day to swim the same distance again, and again on the days after that. A lowlight of the experience was definitely being surrounded by jellyfish on multiple occasions during one swim (and Liv being stung!), however we managed to encourage each other to keep going!

We’ve been blown away as to how much support we’ve received. Our initial sponsorship target was £150, and we’ve now raised over £2000! I think our choice of charities has made people especially willing to donate, as they recognize the importance of helping everyone within our community through these difficult times.’

Roedean has a proud tradition of sea swimming, and we are delighted that it has become popular at the school once again. When the school first opened on this site it went to great lengths to help girls to swim in the sea. Girls were taken to Rottingdean where covered wagons drawn by horses took them into the sea, until our famous tunnel was built to enable easier access to the beach.

Congratulations to Liv and Gracie – what an unbelievable achievement!
 

Similar stories

OR's pause for a photo at the London lunch

On the 9th September 2016 OR's visited the Sloane Club in London for this year's London lunch. More...

The story of a house and its inhabitants over a hundred years – told by the house More...

Read about OR Katherine Daniels (née Rich, No. 2, 1988-95) and her experience of editing and publishing her late husband… More...

Subscribe here for the printed version of the Old Roedeanians' Magazine - the 2023 issue published in February 2024 More...

Most read

A beautiful service for the annual traditional carols. More...

In this month’s interview, we spoke to Fuzet Farid about becoming a lawyer, the incredible job she has now, and the path she took to setting up her ow… More...

Keeping up with everything going on at Roedean. More...

Have your say

 
This website is powered by
ToucanTech