Vicki Samuels is fundraising for
Britannia Sailing Trust
Charity No. SC045315
£1,560
+ estimated £265
Started on 1st August 2023
Stroud GL5 4JJ, UK
Updates 4
Vicki Samuels
posted an update on
30th August 2023
Closing fundraiser next week
We have exceeded my target of £1000 ! Thank you to everyone who has sponsored me so far, I am slowly thanking everyone in person but I have also had several anonymous donations. So thank you to those donors whoever you are - it is much appreciated. The donations in advance of doing the swim helped motivate me on the day that I did it.
The opportunity to support this amazing project will close at the end of next week so if you are intending to make a donation time is running out.
Britannia is nearly ready to be launched - here is the most recent picture. Celebrations will take place at the Terracina Piazza (The head of the Canal Basin) in Exeter on 24 September where a weekend Festival will be held to welcome her. Please join us if you can 11am to 4 pm with Britannia, arriving a the Head of the Basin at midday! Heritage Harbour Festival – Exeter Custom House
Vicki Samuels
posted an update on
18th August 2023
I've done it!
Just in case the achievement was missed in the last update, I've just done it!! So we are now £210 short of my target. Please help us to reach this, or beyond by sharing this good news to your own networks, friends and family. We are very nearly there!!
Vicki Samuels
posted an update on
18th August 2023
More training
This morning I set out in the rain to go 800 metres as part of my build up to 1 kilometre, but when i had finished that I thought I will just go another 100 metres and see how I feel. Apart from a bit of cramp in one leg I was fine so went for it and I did it! Target achieved!
1000 metres in 57’ 25” !
To everyone who has already sponsored me thank you so much for your support; it will really help keep this amazing project going.
For anyone who was waiting to see if I would manage to do it, before sending any sponsorship please go to this link:
https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/1000-metre-swim
Not only have I raised money to help bring this nationally significant boat back to life but I have discovered a new (to me) way of taking exercise and connecting with nature. So I will carry on swimming into the Autumn and maybe even try cold water swimming.
Vicki Samuels
posted an update on
14th August 2023
Training Progress
Saturday 12 August, Concentrated on speed rather than distance today so went 600 metres in 35 minutes which was an improvement on 400 metres in 32 minutes when I started a few weeks ago. If I were to keep up that pace I might just manage the kilometre in just under an hour. Thank you so much for your support, and if you can share to your networks too it would help me to reach the target - Generous folk have pledged £670 so far, so all going well!
I first came across Britannia when we sailed on her around the Hebrides in the mid 90's. Since then she has had several changes of ownership and was in danger of disintegrating beyond repair, when Sam and Vicki, who ran the sailing holidays, found her, bought her, set up a charity to help save her and have spent the last 10 or more years fund raising and restoring her, and at an age when most people would have put their feet up and been having a well deserved rest See https://britanniasailingtrust.org
Initially, I was a supporter, and then became a Trustee and now I am Chair of the Trustees.
The project has reached the stage where the boat is water tight and she is ready to be refloated in Exeter Harbour on 24 September. As ever, money is tight so I decided to set myself a physical challenge to raise some funds.
This winter, work focusses on fitting her out and getting ready for sea trials in 2025, Once everything is right we will start to use the boat to provide life enhancing experiences for disadvantaged people.
We also plan to offer training in traditional boat maintenance and sailing skills. We have already started training two apprentices. Both are delightful young people, who were previously unemployed; they started as volunteers, but showed such enthusiasm we soon offered them apprenticeships.
It is an inspiring charity and I would not be asking for your support if I didn't believe in what it is seeking to do.
Swimming 1000 metres non-stop may not sound like much to some, but until four weeks ago I hadn't swum properly for well over 10 years. I have never swum that far and the ASA 440 yards certificate is probably my previous best, so this will be quite a challenge for me. My wife, who is regular swimmer, said, "I didn't think anyone could swim that slowly and still stay afloat." I have started training and aim to complete the challenge by the start of September.
Please give whatever you can to support this wonderful charity. Would a penny per meter be too much to ask? That would be £10.00 if I go the distance, I certainly won't be going any further!