The organisers of this year’s Skipton Swimarathon have named the 2024 beneficiary as the Guernsey Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals.
Celebrating its 150 years of service to the island, the animal shelter is renowned for the consistent good works it does to help all animals, whether rescued seals in need of recuperation, or missing cats. The shelter, as it is also known, also offers training programmes for animal owners and is entirely reliant on public donations in order to survive.
Steve Byrne, Manager of the Guernsey Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA) said: “We are so thankful that the Skipton Swimarathon’s committee has chosen to support us. “It is ironic that we recently celebrated ‘Purple Week’ and Skipton is known for its purple branding, so combining forces for the Skipton Swimarathon is almost fate.
“The (GSPCA) can only exist with the support of the public so I would urge as many people as possible to form a team, take the plunge and raise as much as you can. I promise you it will be well spent.”
John Stuart, Chairman of the Organising Committee said: “This year both the clubs who collaboratively put on this popular annual event (The Lions Club and Guernsey Round Table) considered various charitable projects, all with their own merits, but the GSPCA’s pleas for support as they celebrate 150 years to enable them to continue their proven and well-documented services touched the hearts of all of us.
“We hope that everyone will support the Skipton Swimarathon and get behind the charity. I’d like to think that for every pound that our swimmers raise, it could be helping another animal in need.”
Pictured: Left to right – Rob Holder (Guernsey Lions), Aaron Walden (Skipton), Oscar Webber (Guernsey Round Table), Steve Byrne (GSPCA) and Paul Allaway (Guernsey Lions). Photograph credit: Danielle Barnett.
