Charities selected to benefit from Guernsey's 2021 Skipton Swimarathon

The two charities that will benefit from funds raised at the 2021 Skipton Swimarathon in Guernsey have been selected.

The Priaulx Premature Baby Foundation and Citizen’s Advice Guernsey will each get a share of the proceeds from this year's event, which will take place between 29 September and 3 October.

Over its 44 year history, the event - which sees islanders of all ages raise sponsorship money by covering a distance in the pool - has raised more than £1.8m for good causes in the island.

Organisers received 21 applications for financial support but said the two which have been selected had 'touched their hearts'.

The Priaulx Premature Baby Foundation has been providing support to families across the Channel Islands for almost two decades. It was founded by racing driver Andy Priaulx and his wife Jo, following the premature births of their children.

The money raised from the Swimarathon will help fund one of two apartments owned by the Foundation near Southampton Hospital, which provide free accommodation for local families with premature babies or those with sick children requiring treatment in the UK.

Citizens Advice Guernsey provides free advice to islanders on a range of issues, but has seen a rise in demand since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.

The funding it will receive will be put towards support costs for an upgraded system, which it hopes will allow it to help more people long into the future.

Registration for the 2021 event will open to members of the public in June at www.swimarathon.org.