English Channel Swim Challenge

I am part of The Swiss Channel Challenge Team that is working towards a first channel crossing in August this year from Dover to Calais. We are are a group of six girls in between the ages 16-17 from various Swiss schools. The channel crossing would entail 16-20 hours swimming in a relay at an average water temperature of 16 degrees. This swim is considered to be one of the most difficult open water challenges.

Our mission is to use our challenge to raise money for 100 Obstetric Fistula operations. Obstetric fistula is condition that girls of our age, primarily in developing countries. It is caused by prolonged or obstructed labour due to a girls body being unfit for childbirth. A hole between the vagina and rectum or bladder is created which in turn leads to the constant and uncontrollable leaking of bodily fluids. Moreover, it is common that the young mother also loses her child in the process. A woman with fistula is often ostracised by her society, more often than not she loses her home and her family due to her foul smell.

As mentioned above, we want make a change to the lives of these girls by raising enough money to pay for 100 of the 50,000-100,000 girls affected by Obstetric Fistula every year. On average operation costs $586, this cost covers surgery, postoperative care and physical rehabilitation until they can return home. So far we have raised $20,000.

However, if I want to take part in this initiative and continue with this fundraising event, I need sponsors in order to be able to swim the channel. The cost would go towards training before, flight, accommodation, the pilots, the boat, a trainer and equipment. I would appreciate it enormously if you could make a donation you deem appropriate, every little helps to get me across the channel.

For more information visit: www.chacha.team