About the swim
Swim window 29th July - August 3rd 2022
10 years ago, I swam the English Channel in a 3-person relay named Team Madfish, swimming for 4 hours of the just over 11 hours it took us as a team to get from England to France.
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In late July this year, I am looking to return to Dover, UK to swim solo across the 33-kilometre channel, both as a challenge and to raise funds for the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation (AIEF). I have been in training swimming 30-35 kilometres per week for the best part of 3 years now and due to COVID this will be my third attempt to get to Dover to attempt this. Only a handful of people in their 60s have swum the English Channel. If successful, I am hoping it takes somewhere between 12 to 15 hours to get to France.
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The English Channel swim is the world's most historically significant and iconic marathon swim. It was first completed by Englishman Captain Matthew Webb in 1875 who swam breaststroke and took just under 22 hours to make it to France. Unfortunately, as an extreme challenge completing the swim is not guaranteed and several things can conspire against you, including the cold water, wind and wave conditions and jellyfish stings.
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Regarding AIEF, I am a firm believer in the power of education and personally benefitted from financial assistance and scholarships at various stages of my own education. Unfortunately, many others have not been so fortunate to receive this type of support. Notwithstanding our “first world” society, education is still not a level playing field and circumstances outside of one’s control, such as place of birth, wealth, background, knowledge of the system, can determine at a young age the breadth of your ultimate opportunities in life. The work that AIEF is doing is an inspiration and, from a standing start more than 14 years ago, they have made a huge difference to the education of over 1,000 Indigenous children and now adults.
About the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation
The Australian Indigenous Education Foundation (AIEF) is a private sector led, non-profit organisation focused on empowering Indigenous children in financial need to build a future through quality education and careers. A product of a strong partnership between the Australian Government and the private sector.
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AIEF believes that marginalised Indigenous children should have access to some of Australia’s best educational opportunities and pursue productive and fulfilling careers. That is why they provide scholarships to attend boarding schools and residential university colleges and offer intensive career support, equipping students with the tools to unlock their potential and pursue their dreams.
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Founded by former lawyer and investment banker Andrew Penfold in 2007, AIEF has grown rapidly to be one of the most effective non-profit organisations in the country. AIEF works with hard heads, soft hearts and capable hands, setting the benchmark in good governance, transparent and evidence-based reporting and producing tangible results.
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Backed by some of Australia’s most influential business and community leaders, AIEF has grown from one scholarship student in 2008 to now supporting over 1,000 young Indigenous people from over 400 communities in every state and territory of Australia.
Fundraising update
Please help us raise money to support the AIEF in continuing their great work. We are aiming to
raise $200,000 and have secured $50,000 of matching donations against each dollar raised to that
level. If 150 people give $1,000 we are there. However, please give whatever amount you can afford.
Every bit helps!
THANKS AGAIN TO EVERYONE FOR YOUR AMAZING SUPPORT!!
Individual donations: $115,742 I Matching donations: $50,000 I Total donations: $165,742