Adrian Sarchet, affectionately known in Guernsey as the ‘Sea Donkey’, was welcomed back to work after his 24-hour swimming challenge with a £10,000 donation from his employer, Julius Baer Guernsey.
Adrian undertook the challenge to raise funds for Vive La Vallette and Guernsey Disability Swimming to help them provide new wheelchair and reduced mobility access to the Ladies’ Pool at the Bathing Pools.
He had raised more than £100,000 in advance of beginning his challenge at 3pm on Saturday 20 August. More than 400 islanders took to the pool with Adrian to make sure he had company for the entire 24-hour period.
Adrian is In-house Legal Counsel at Julius Baer Guernsey and his colleagues were keen to support his efforts. Julius Baer team members volunteered to help with marshalling the event and registering the other swimmers, throughout the 24 hours.
A team of Adrian’s colleagues joined him in the pool for the final hour of the challenge. Julius Baer also provided food and drinks for all those helping out across the weekend.
Stephen Burt, Branch Manager at Julius Baer Guernsey, was one of those to swim with Adrian, and congratulated him on his achievement: “Ady is an inspiration to all of us here at Julius Baer, and many other people in the Guernsey community. Having joined him in the pool for an hour I can only imagine the mental fortitude required to get through a whole 24 hours in that temperature of water.
“The team have rallied round Ady’s effort and I’m especially pleased that we were able to donate an extra £10,000 to the cause, which is sure to improve lives here in Guernsey.”
Adrian said: “I’ve been overwhelmed by the support I’ve received from across the island, and for my colleagues to have been so supportive is a huge bonus. Their time and efforts in and around the pool are so appreciated, and the donation makes a great difference to raising these vital funds. I feel incredibly lucky to work for such an inclusive and caring organisation.”
Alongside its support of Adrian, Julius Baer has also donated a further £10,000 to Grow, as a means of helping the charity to reach its final fundraising target for the redevelopment of its site.
Stephen said: “Adrian, through Vive La Vallette and Guernsey Disability Swimming, and Grow all aim to make Guernsey a better place to live for those with acute and specialist needs. We believe passionately that Guernsey has so much to offer, from the freedom of sea swimming to the dignity afforded by meaningful work, and are happy to support these causes.
“Both fundraising appeals are ongoing, so we’d encourage everyone to donate what they can; they’re two superb causes.”
