Taunton Prep School pupils training for ambitious English Channel swim for local charity

A group of Year 8 pupils from Taunton Prep School are currently training to swim the English Channel this August.

The 18 pupils who will all be aged 13 at the time of the swim have chosen to raise money for Compass Wellbeing, a Taunton-based charity which supports people with additional needs and those who are recovering from a physical injury through the use of its sensory rooms and hydrotherapy pool.

This year marks the tenth anniversary of the first English Channel swim completed by Taunton Prep Schools pupils. Since then, more than 60 pupils, plus 11 staff members, have completed the swim, raising more than £100,000 for various charities.

Hamish McCarthy, Head of Long Distance Swimming at Taunton School, said: “It is wonderful to be celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Channel swim at Taunton School, and what a way to mark the occasion, with three teams training for this year’s swim — almost a quarter of Year 8. I am incredibly proud of every pupil who has completed this courageous swim over the past decade, as well as the commitment and progress shown by this year’s pupils in their training.

“On top of this, I’m thrilled to support Compass Wellbeing with this year’s swim as I know firsthand the importance of hydrotherapy for recovery and the huge benefits it can have.”

Compass Wellbeing and its facilities have supported numerous members of the Taunton School community over the years and is based less than half a mile from the School’s campus. It is currently fundraising to help with ongoing costs of running the centre and maintaining its facilities.

Michelle Edwards, Centre Manager at Compass Wellbeing, said: “Compass Wellbeing aims to make all of its services and facilities available to anyone in the community who is otherwise excluded, isolated or lonely. One of the key barriers to access, today more than ever, is affordability. The ongoing maintenance, servicing and running costs of the centre are significant, and it is only with support and fundraising from our community that we can keep them open for those who need it most.”

The team of pupils, known as the Channel Titans, have been training for almost two years, starting in Taunton Prep School’s pool, before moving to Wiveliscombe outdoor pool, and this month transitioning to Clevedon Marine Lake. The pupils are looking forward to taking part in a number of challenges over the coming months, including the infamous Gwineas Swim and the Plymouth Breakwater swim in June.

Taunton School is proud of its extensive swimming provision which begins in nursery and includes a wide range of sessions tailored to students with different needs and aspirations. The School’s long-distance swimming club is a key part of its extensive co‑curricular offering, training students not only to swim the English Channel but also to enjoy open-water swimming in the seas around Somerset, Devon and Dorset while fostering a lifelong love of the sport.

Find out more about the Channel Titan’s challenge and donate via their JustGiving page > https://www.justgiving.com/page/tps-channeltitan-vi?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL