Swim for Hope

Sarah is undertaking a new challenge to raise money for Watts Gallery, Hope Emergency Appeal and the RNLI. She will be swimming the Solent from Portsmouth to the Isle of Wight with Perdita Hunt, Director of the Watts Gallery and a small team over the weekend of the 4-6 September, weather allowing.

Sarah will have to swim this busy stretch of water dodging small boats, large ships and jellyfish – but she’s got a bright orange swim hat to keep her safe!

The swim is 2.65 miles (2.3 nautical miles) and should take approximately 2 hours depending on weather conditions and tidal currents.

It’s not going to be easy – Sarah is currently training 3 to 4 times a week – sometimes in the pool, but also on the River Thames and the sea. Steve has been accompanying her in the river and sea on a kayak to ensure safety, shout motivating comments and generally cracking the whip.

The Watts Gallery is undergoing a restoration project to bring the Gallery back to its former glory. The Hope Emergency Fund is to plug the gap in finances incurred by the contractor on the Hope Restoration Project going into administration last year. There is still £75,000 to raise to complete the Hope Project which aims to save Watts Gallery for future generations. Watts had a home on the Isle of Wight where he was part of the artistic and literary circle of his great friend Alfred Lord Tennyson. Swimming from the mainland to the Isle of Wight is an appropriate way to strengthen the link between Compton and Freshwater on the Isle of Wight.

A contribution will also be made to the RNLI based in Bembridge.

We would really like you to sponsor Sarah, Perdita and the team – so please go to the Watts Gallery Shop to make your pledge. Thank you!