Swimmers take on the Cuan Sound for charity
Brave Bluetits of Dunearn and friends made a splash for charity this week swimming across the Cuan Sound to Luing.
The two-legged mermaids and merman, who regularly swim together from Seil, took on the challenge in aid of Seed For Life, helping farmers and children in Bemvu, Malawi’s Ntcheu province.
The charity, run from Seil, has been hard-hit like many other good causes due to Covid bringing fundraising to a halt, so the swim was good news to the ears of the self-sustainable food aid project that gives farmers seed and fertiliser to grow crops, and also provides school meals to more than 1,400 pupils a day.
Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world with 50.7 per cent of the population living below the poverty line and 25 per cent living in extreme poverty.
Dave Alsop from Seed For Life said the charity’s achievements to date was down to the fantastic support received from the local community.
‘Without their generosity with time and money we would not be where we are today, and for the Bluetits to donate the proceeds of this swim is very much appreciated as we haven’t been able to fundraise to any degree because of Covid. On behalf of the community at Bemvu, thank you so much for helping to change their lives for the better.’
Sea Kayak Scotland’s
Kenny Lacey was on watch
in his safety boat as the 12 swimmers made it across the swirly waters on Thursday September 2.
Mr Lacey, who runs his outdoor adventure business from Seil’s scenic coastline, gave his time and advice for free to support the charity.
Ellenabeich residents Graham and Wendy Bruce were on watch from their rib, too. Also giving support was Mike Barlow from Luing’s Sunnybrae Caravan Park who was happy to welcome the hardy swimmers to his site’s shore.
Swim organiser Anna Northover said: ‘We had a great turnout for a great cause. Thank you to everyone who got involved and contributed to this event. The swimmers, the safety boats, the bucket shakers and supporters were all very much appreciated.’