Twenty thousand kina has already been raised by an ‘English Channel Swim’ fundraising event for Cheshire Disability Services.
The K20,000 represents 20 percent of an overall K100,000 fundraising goal.
The swim is being supported by the Steamships Group, with 100 percent of all sponsorship money going towards initiatives that will directly benefit people with disabilities and the families who support them.
Swimmer Neil Papenfus, a General Manager in Steamships’ Logistics Division, is registered to swim the English Channel in October. “I love swimming, I love challenging myself physically, and I love the work that the team at Cheshire Disability Services do for people in our community who are living with disabilities” says Papenfus.
The K20,000 already raised has been a mix of personal as well as business donations:
· PNG Motors K10,000
· Carpenters Shipping K5,000
· David Doig K1,000
· Ashley Houston K1,000
· Greg Rudani K1,000
· Corey van Genderen
· Sean Vincin K1,000
· Bill Crain K500
General Manager of Cheshire Disability Services, Benson Hahambu, says that he’s “extremely grateful” for the generosity of the businesses and people who have donated so far and that “every kina will make a real difference” in the lives of the people who turn to the charity for help.
Papenfus is busy not just with raising money but also training.
He’s currently swimming an average of 30km per week which includes a 12km swim on the weekends.
As October approaches he will be swimming between 30-35km per week and will have completed longer swims of 26km including competitive long-distance events in Australia and New Zealand.
Neil’s next international competitive swim will be in Sydney in March where he’ll swim the 26km ‘Palm to Shelly’ open ocean race.
In the middle of the Australian winter Neil will attend a special ‘Cold Water Training Camp’ in Sydney which will include a 6-hour swim.
Some Facts About Swimming the English Channel
· It will take Neil about 16 hours (the world record is just under 7 hours)
· He will swim between 34-40 km depending on the tides and currents
· The water will be very cold (about 16⁰C) – Fairfax Harbour is around 26⁰C.
· Neil will need to eat and drink as he swims – he’s not allowed to get out of the water
· The English Channel is one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes (an average of 600 tankers and 200 ferries pass through it every day)
Steamships will ensure that 100 percent of all money raised will be given to Cheshire Disability Services.