Mermaids Raise £36K for Brain Condition Charities
Henley Mermaids completed their 2021 fundraising for UK and Irish brain condition charities last week by hosting an online auction night when they raised an amazing £17,000.
The lots ranged from 2 rugby tickets to see England Vs Wales in six nations in February 2022, a signed t-shirt by Sir Steve Redgrave and Sir Matthew Pinsent and a a rowing lesson with Sarah Winckless MBE, which went for £1050.
Henley Mermaid Laura Reineke said, “The auction was brilliant! It was great fun, and very successful! I’d like to thank all the businesses who donated lots including some local businesses, Dorata Hairdressing, George Butler TRX, Sophie Whitfield Swim Coaching, The Square restaurant & Badgemore Park Golf Club.”
The Mermaids (Laura, Joan Fennelly, Susan Barry, Jo Robb and Fiona Print) were raising money for Sunrise for Brain Conditions which is a not for profit organisation which provides a platform for events and fundraising for four charities in Ireland which supports Parkinson’s, Motor Neurone Disease, Multiple Sclerosis and Huntington’s Disease. The team have also partnered with four sister charities in the UK that support these brain conditions – The Huntington’s Disease Youth Organisation, Cure Parkinson’s, The MND Association and The MS International Federation.
The team of outdoor swimmers raised another £17,000 in their attempt to be the first women relay team to swim the Bristol Channel on 21 July when they came just short of 6km because of the high tides. They had 2 further dates to retry which were called off at the eleventh hour because of the forecast changing. The total raised with the auction is around £36,000.
Looking ahead to 2022, the Mermaids will reattempt the Bristol Channel at the end of July and Joan and Laura will be attempting to swim the North Channel (Northern Ireland to Scotland (21 miles) at the end of June. Laura commented, “We will soon be launching 2022’s charity which we think will be an environmental one and we are looking for a sponsor to help fund our 2022 swims. Please get in touch if you can help.”
More details https://www.henleymermaids.com/
