Swimming the Solent Challenge

On Saturday 14th October 2006, three brave souls took up the challenge of swimming from the Isle of Wight to Portsmouth, across the choppy waters and shipping lanes of the Solent. All of the swimmers survived the crossing, and in the process raised around £1000 for United Through Sport.

The challengers for the event were Henry Humphreys of Failand, near Bristol, and Peter Bailey and Hugh Moss from West London. All three were introduced to each other in another mammoth swim-challenge, when they took on the length of Lake Windermere earlier in the year.

Starting from Ryde on the Isle of Wight, the team swam from the shore, following the famous pier, and turning out into the open sea. After around two-and-a-half hours of continuous strokes, they reached the Portsmouth headland, completing their incredible feat of endurance.

The effort was a well organised event and thanks must be offered to the Ryde Harbour Master volunteers for their excellent support during the crossing

United Through Sport Golf Day Tees-Off

On 4th October 2006, United Through Sport held their first Charity Golf Day at the Beaconsfield Golf Club.

The day was a great social and fundraising success, welcoming teams and participants from a number of big corporations including ITV, Vodafone, News International, The Telegraph, GCap and Carat. The day involved a hotly contested 4-ball Stableford competition, followed by buffet lunch, prize-giving and auction which showcased some outstanding prizes.

Thanks to the tireless work of the event organiser, Karen Platt, the event raised £6000 which has subsequently been sent to South Africa to build a community sports pitch in a township school.

United Through Sport would like to extend a big thanks to all the teams involved, as well as for the generous support offered by those who contributed to the day in terms of donations, prizes and moral support, not least of all GCap and The Golf Shack of Taplow. A special thanks also needs to be given to Dave King (The Telegraph) for his continuous bidding throughout the auction!

Thanks are also due to the members of Beaconsfield Golf Club, for offering their outstanding facilities for the event.