Haverhill fundraiser’s swim in aid of REACH

One fundraiser took to the water to launch REACH’s tenth anniversary fundraising campaign.

Henry Wilson, Projects Director at REACH, the group that coordinates Haverhill’s foodbank, took part in the Great East Swim on Saturday, June 20.

The swim was part of a fundraising push that Mr Wilson and other members of staff at REACH are undertaking to raise £10,000 for REACH’s 10th anniversary.

“I loved it actually,” said Mr Wilson. “I like swimming anyway, but this was something else.”

Mr Wilson swam a mile at Alton Water near Ipswich as part of The Great East Swim.

He has already raised more than £400 towards REACH’s fundraising target.

Having set a target of completing the swim in under 40 minutes, Mr Wilson surprised himself when he finished in 32 minutes.

Mr Wilson, who is asthmatic, said he completed the swim without too much of a struggle, despite feeling a little out of breath towards the end.

“It exceeded my expectations,” Mr Wilson said. “The water was beautiful.”

Mr Wilson will, along with other REACH members, be taking on a range of fund-raising activities, including the Essex castles cycle ride on July 25 and a half marathon in August.

He was inspired, in part, to take on the challenges when his friend, Nick Wary, suffered a stroke.

“He wasn’t yet 60,” said Mr Wilson. “He’s not well now. It made me think, life’s too short. You have to do the things you want to while you can.”

Members of the public can donate to REACH via their website at www.reachhaverhill.org.uk or by visiting https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/henrywilson1

Anyone with additional fundraising ideas or who wants to volunteer to personally fundraise for them should get in touch by phone on 01440 268003.