On Saturday 11 September 2021, the Coalie Crawlers swimmers took part in their fourth charity fundraising swim in aid of the Fire Fighters Charity.  All six swimmers successfully completed the 7.5km sea swim, from Hayling Island Lifeboat Station down the estuary into the slipway next to Emsworth Slipper Sailing Club.  Weather and sea conditions were fantastic and each swimmer was greeted at the finish by staff of the Coal Exchange, family, friends, the Emsworth fire fighters, local residents and visitors. All were awarded with a well-deserved medal.  However, as always, the swimmers could not, and would not, have done this challenge without careful planning, their own kayaker and a group safety boat all of whom gave up their time voluntarily.

Coalie Crawlers 2021 Raise £781 for The Fire Fighters Charity

 

Fundraising continued throughout the afternoon and evening at the pub with a BBQ and live music. Fire fighters and local people swam for this local cause. There was a real community involvement with everything with the food being donated by the Coal Exchange and live music by Paul and friends.

A cheque for £781 was presented to Kerry James, Fundraising Manager, on behalf of the Fire Fighters charity, on Friday 12 November 2021.  She said: “A massive thank you to everyone involved in making the fourth year of the charity swim such a success. These past 18 months have been challenging for everyone in so many ways and there is no doubt that this donation will go a long way in enabling us to continue to provide support to those in the fire community that need our help with mental, physical or social being needs”.