partner feature
Parker & Co – taking the plunge for St David’s Foundation
Gary Parker, of South Wales accountancy firm Parker & Co, has agreed to sponsor a team of six to complete the challenge of swimming across the English Channel, known as the Everest of Swims...
T
he event was officially launched by David Davies, the Welsh Olympic medalist open water swimmer. David has already got a bronze and a silver
Olympic medal and will be ‘going for gold’ this year. David launched the event at the recent City of Newport Business Club function where he was the guest speaker. The cross-Channel swin will take place
in July 2013 and the objectives will be to complete the crossing and raise £30,000 for St David’s. “There is plenty of time to train and raise
funds,” said Gary. “Basically we are looking for five more
swimmers who will be committed to training for success and to play their part with the fundraising.” Training for the English Channel will be a
challenge in itself. “You need to complete a two-hour open
water swim in 15 degrees water, wet suits are not allowed, be prepared to avoid jelly fish, oil tankers and all kinds of debris.” The distance is 32 kilometres.
“You will need a strong stomach as well as
a tad of endurance,” Gary said. He said: “Whereas we will be getting out
in the open water in summer much of our training will take place in open unheated pools. The Bathurst pool in Lydney is ideal where I am a member of the serious swimmers club.” Gary will be taking part in the challenge
already being a strong open water swimmer. He completed the 6km Hellespont swim last year and has already completed his two-hour open water qualifier. “I have a few swim events and challenges
lined up en route to this fundraiser including the 12k Straits of Gibralter later this year and I plan to try a solo channel crossing September 2013 after our relay event.” When asked why the Channel, Gary said:
“Well St David’s is our nominated charity so to raise funds for them would be very satisfying. On a personal note I have climbed some mountains, completed the MdS in the desert and the Jungle Marathon in the Amazon, I just wanted to complete an endurance event in the water.”
He later admitted to having swum for his
school and once for Wales as a schoolboy. Parker & Co is sponsoring the event by
funding the boat support, registration with the body which will recognise and monitor the swim and some other fees, all told around £3,500. Gary said: “We hope to select a team
before the end of April. Anyone interested in taking part please contact me on 01633 889020 or Kris Broome on 01633 270980. “We are also looking for corporate
sponsors to fund kit some training sessions and other essentials. We already have two ladies signed up for
the challenge, Ruth Jones and Victoria Hart who are both co-ordinators for St David’s. They have already got stuck into their training and fund raising. A great start! Parker & Co’s strapline is ‘adventure in
business’ – you can see why! Visit
www.parkeraccountants.co.uk
Gary Parker swimming in the Bristol Channel
Swimmer David Davies, left, helps Gary Parker launch the cross-Channel swim event with Ruth Jones and Victoria Hart, of St David’s Foundation
THEbusiness QUARTER 29
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