On Friday 7th February, the team at Aberystwyth University completed a relay with the aim to cover the distance equivalent of the English Channel. The challenge started at 7am, where for the next 13 hours, the team would be in the water working to add the yards to the goal. 

Reflecting on the challenge, Club President Hannah Judd said “it was an ambitious mission to keep it moving for 13 hours but everyone who showed up were really keen to contribute and get involved. We even had social members who don’t usually swim coming along and doing some lengths.” 

They racked up the distance, between them managing to cover an impressive 56,350 yards! 

Fresher TJ said “everyone was engaging with the event whilst swimming and on the poolside which made the time pass quicker than expected with everyone in high spirits and enjoying each other’s company. Some swimmers even chose to stay past their allocated time slots which is a testament to the motivation of the club to help such an amazing cause. It felt only right to support a marine conservation charity as we are a club composed of two different water sports.” 

At the end of the challenge the team managed to raise a fin-tastic £600 for the Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre. Hannah said, “the reason we chose this charity is definitely a reflection of our passions as we all spend a lot of time in the water everyday so the health and conservation of natural bodies of water is important to us all!” 

“We’ve also been on a mission to try and incorporate more environmental initiatives into our club this year, as we all recognise how lucky we are to be surrounded by such a beautiful natural environment here in Wales.” 

If you are part of a University club or society looking for a charity to fundraise for, get in touch with our Fundraising Officer Molly, at m.johns@welshwildlife.org.