A trio of determined swimmers completed a 22-mile swimming challenge from Barmouth to Abersoch last week, raising over £2,000 so far for Plastic Oceans, RNLI and the Air Ambulance.

Three swimmers – Karl Jackson, Clint Profitt and Dan Brook-Sutton – decided to take on the aquatic challenge last year, to raise money for the three causes after witnessing local beaches accumulating more and more plastic on their shores, while also wanting to show their support for the work that the RNLI and Air Ambulance do.

The Cardigan Bay Challenge, originally scheduled for 10 August but postponed due to high wind speeds, was completed on 27 August by the three men, accompanied by safety kayaks and a rest boat.

Swimmers were supported by Abersoch RNLI in the run-up to the journey, who offered advice on a start date and time for a favourable tide, offered boats for the swimmers to use during the challenge, and greeted the trio as they arrived at Abersoch when they finished.

They set off from Barmouth at 5am and after a dark and rocky start with unpredictable waves, the team took it in turns to swim the 22 miles stage by stage.

The swimmers encountered hundreds of jellyfish, dodging a nasty sting, and were joined by dolphins as they swam towards Abersoch.

Conditions were not always easy, as swimmer Karl Jackson, from Derbyshire, explained: “The tides were not always kind and most of the time were pushing us off course, meaning instead of swimming in a straight line we swam in a curve, fighting the tide all the time, adding distance and time.”

They nonetheless arrived at Abersoch 14 hours later – exceeding the expected 12 hours – as the three swimmers tackled the last leg together.

If you still want to donate, visit: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/cardigan-bay-challenge-1

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