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!