It has been confirmed that the main fundraising event of the year for the West Wight Sports and Community Centre – the Solent Swim – will go ahead this year as planned.
The event, due to be held on Saturday 29 August, will see swimmers making their way across the Solent from Hurst Castle to Colwell Bay – an estimated 1.3 miles.
MP Bob Seely, who will be taking part in the swim again this year, said: “Swimming is a great passion of mine and, being the Island’s MP, it seemed an obvious fit for me to be swimming the Solent again.
“I was so pleased when the announcement came that swimming pools could reopen. I enjoyed swimming in the sea during lockdown but it was great to get back into the West Wight pool.
“This year it is more important than ever that the local community gets behind the West Wight Sports & Community Centre and raises money to keep the centre open.
“The centre is the beating heart of the West Wight community. It is not just a place to swim and exercise, it is a community hub supporting families and vulnerable people and it needs our help.”
Clare Griffin of West Wight Sports and Community Centre said: “We are so pleased that the Solent Swim is able to go ahead this year and, on behalf of the centre, I would like to thank all those who have agreed to support the event to make it happen.
“The Solent Swim is one of the main fundraising events for the centre and since our first event in 2010, more than 400 people have swum the Solent and raised over £200,000. I hope that we will be able to reach our fundraising target for this year.
“I’m pleased that Bob has agreed to take part again this year and I thank him for his ongoing support.”
Anyone wishing to make a donation can do so via Bob’s fundraising link here: https://www.totalgiving.co.uk/mypage/bobseelysolentswim2020
