Simon Bird, Regional Director (centre) with members of the Grimsby & Cleethorpes Water Rats
Associated British Ports (ABP) in the Humber has given financial support to the Grimsby & Cleethorpes Water Rats to enable them to fundraise.
The ABP Community Chest Fund has supported the group over the years, and this year gave the group £1,000 towards their 24-hour swim challenge held in July. In 2021 ABP donated funds to help the group acquire their first clubhouse and assisted in some giant ABP logoed buoys.
Simon Bird, Regional Director for the Humber said: “We’re delighted to be supporting such a worthwhile club. Giving people an opportunity to swim in open water but within a safe environment is of great benefit to many people. At the same time, their actions are also being used in raising money for other local causes.”
Alex Martinelli, Water Rat member said: “ABP’s support over many years is very much appreciated. Grimsby and Cleethorpes Water Rats history can be traced back to the 1890’s and it is with the generous support of companies like ABP that the club is now well-established as a community organisation with over 190 members of all ages and abilities.”
“Some train members for triathlons, others are social swimmers, while others swim for fitness. We all work towards improving local facilities for the sport and contributing to the community.”
The 24-hour swimathon raised £2,645 for the Sunflowers Children’s action group, the elected charity this year. Teams of up to six swimmers as a relay swam the distance of the English Channel (21 miles) in 21 hours.
The open-water swimming club has over 200 members of all abilities and ages. The Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC) is run by volunteers and their aim is to provide open-water swimming at a grass roots level. Their home is Aleandra Quay Marina in Grimsby’s Alexandra Dock.
Their next event is the Dip a Day in December challenge where each day the Water Rats members pledge to take a chilly dip in the dock while raising money for charity. Over the past three years, they have raised £7,500 for local charities.
For more information on the club visit the website Grimsby and Cleethorpes Water Rats.
