Rob Archer plans English Channel swim for Macmillan Cancer Charity
Last updated 11/09/2009 11:35:21
Rob Archer plans English Channel swim for Macmillan Cancer Charity
A student from University of Bath is counting on good weather to swim the English Channel and raise money for cancer care in memory of his uncle.
Rob Archer, a 30 year-old postgraduate chemistry student, is waiting for fair weather and the right tides to embark on his 21-mile swim from Dover to Calais.
Rob and his younger brother, Phil, decided to attempt the Channel crossing in memory of their uncle, Ian Massey, who died of prostate cancer. They have so far raised £3,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support.
Phil made his bid last week, and Rob swam alongside him for part of the endeavour, as permitted in Channel crossing rules. After 14 hours of swimming Phil was forced to abandon his attempt just three miles from the French shore because of severe cramp.
Rob said: "I saw first hand my brother's 14 hour struggle against sea sickness, weather conditions and cramp and of course it's made me really apprehensive about what I'm facing. He did brilliantly well though, so I'm just going to go for it too."
Rob began his training last October and has clocked up over 400 hours of swimming in the University's 50m Swimming Pool, plus open air swims in Bath's River Avon, dodging swans and rowers, and sea swimming in Cornwall.
He will wear a wetsuit as he describes himself as too skinny to cope with the chilly water temperatures of 17 degrees centigrade, despite attempts to fatten himself up ready for the challenge.
Rob is a keen surfer and sportsman but says this is the biggest thing he has done by a long way.His dad and brother will be on board the support boat and it's messages from his family and friends that he says will keep him going.
To support the brothers go to http://www.justgiving.com/philandrob/
If you have raised funds for any UK charity in 2009, then why not apply for the fundraiser of the year award for some cash for your cjharity and a prize for you.... Optimist Fundraiser 2009.