Channel swim planned for Bulford
Wednesday 28th March
Soldiers from the catering department of Bulford based 3 (UK) Signal Regiment are to raise money for
charities by swimming the English Channel and
- and they are not even planning to leave Wiltshire.
The swimming chefs will complete the swim in the Bulford swimming pool,
and that means swimming 2311 lengths of 33 metre pool between them. And if that wasn't enough, they have to complete their marathon in just
eight and a half hours.
Event organiser Sergeant John Gellatly said the core members of the team
will swim hundreds of lengths although there will be guest swimmers, but they
will be limited to 30 lengths each.
The core team comprises Sergeant John Gellatly, Master Chef Staff
Sergeant Sadie Hopkins, Corporal Laura Boorn, Private Ashley Harker, and
Corporal Martin Carpenter.
As Army chefs, they still have hungry mouths to feed. "The kitchens and the Sergeants' mess will be manned," said Sergeant
Gellatly. One of our swimmers, Sergeant Mark Hillyer will do some lengths
despite arranging the catering a function on the day.
The fundraisers are taking over the Bulford Pool from 0800 until 4.30 in
the afternoon on Wednesday 28th March. "We know we have that window of eight
and half hours but we confident that as long as there are no accidents or
injuries, we should complete it in seven hours."
Money raised will be divided between the Army Benevolent Fund, the
Chindits Old Comrades Association and Salisbury Hospital Neo-Natal Intensive
Care Unit. "It is a local charity and given the amount of time soldiers spend
in Bulford and Tidworth and that Salisbury
Hospital is as much a
part of the lives of our families as it is for the rest of the local
population, we felt it was a worthy cause," said Sergeant Gellatly.
One disappointing element so far has been the poor response by local
businesses to help back the event. More than 40 have been contacted but none
have offered support. However, internet kit suppliers Swimshop have provided
goggles hats and ear plugs and the team are very grateful.
Right now they are continuing with their strict training regime for the
big day.
* If you would like to sponsor the Army swimmers please contact Sergeant
Gellatly on 01980 672878. And all are welcome to lend their support and
encouragement on the day.
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