UPDATE:  

Thank you so much for all of the donations, they will make an enormous difference for St Vincents Covid-19 response. We have reached the target and even gone beyond!  For those who are interested in an account of the swim, continue reading below. 

“I set out from the cotton house dock at 6am, joined by Katie Channon who bravely joined for the first leg and was planning on swimming in at L’ansecoy. We started off with very calm waters, but as we turned the corner to Point Lookout the wind picked up significantly. The strong current and choppy waters we encountered there were the first of many challenges we would face! After trying to swim in to L’Ansecoy, with large swells and a current Katie decided to hop on the support boat to join Nadia and Joey. I had to stay close to the coast line to avoid the very strong currents until North Point. The swell was large with waves reaching between 6 and 10 feet, making it more challenging for the security boat to navigate. The thick sargassum seaweed made the next 1hr 30m very difficult to get through. Seeing my wife Ariane, Doctor Bunbury, Lotty and Marie France follow me by land was great. I also had three little silver fish start to follow me around North Point, and they stuck with me just under my belly for the rest of the entire swim.  

Crossing Rutland Bay and Lime Kiln Bay was like swimming in a washing machine, the waters were very confused and choppy. Just off the Macaroni reef I spotted two large Barracudas who joined me for about 20 mins as I headed towards Rabbit Island. I was cramping quite a lot and my body was starting to feel the effects of the strong currents and large swells. As I was approaching Gun Hill Joey jumped in to join me which really lifted my tired spirits, the company was very welcomed indeed. As soon as we passed South Point, the waters changed quickly and suddenly the waves were on our side, pushing us gently past Obsidian Bay and towards Gelliceaux. After 5 hours supporting the Swim Katie got off the boat and safely swam into Gelliceaux. At Lagoon, 6 other swimmers joined for the last leg  (1hr 30min) as I made the home run. The waters were very calm and a lovely change from the previous 5 hours of swimming. We came across, numerous turtles, rays and the wonderful coral formations along Brittania Bay passing Basils Bar (and all the while the three little fishies were still with me!) I got to the cotton house dock 7 hours after we had set off and was greeted with a much deserved cold Hairoun. Thanks to the wonderful Cuthbert Creese and Menilek Kirby for supporting me along the way and ensuring we were all safe. 

Best, Marco” 

On May 1st, starting at the Cotton House beach, Marco will be leading a swim around Mustique island. It is a 17km swim, which we expect to take around 6 and a half hours. Marco will complete the whole swim and will have many individuals join him for different sections of the island.

The impact of Coronavirus to the Vincentian national health system and the knock-on effect to the tourist industry and economy will be dramatic. Any donations will be greatly appreciated and will be used in the first instance to help provide medical equipment, including masks and testing equipment for the wider St Vincent and the Grenadines community.