Daisy Communications' CEO has completed a tough swimming relay challenge across the English Channel this summer with six teammates, raising nearly £4,500 in support of Aspire, a charity helping people with spinal cord injuries live independent lives.
Dave McGinn, CEO at the company, has raised this significant amount from his swimming adventures after months of training that involved early morning starts with his team braving the icy sea.
After a delayed start with a postponed date owing to inclement British weather, the team rose to the challenge and fought shipping lanes, tankers, and a persistent seal.
McGinn explained: "On the morning of the swim, at first light, everything changed. Our first swimmer hit the beach. She dove in with such speed that the boat had to shift up a gear to keep up.
"Halfway through, we realised we weren’t alone… from a distance, following us like Gollum from The Lord of the Rings, was a seal, always there, always watching.
"Then came the shipping lanes — like crossing the M25 on a scooter during rush hour. Massive tankers everywhere. And just when we thought it couldn’t get any weirder, an armada appeared. I’m still not sure if we time-travelled.
“The journey was as challenging as expected – cold water (no wetsuits), night swims, jellyfish stings,” said McGinn.
The stoical Daisy team made the crossing in 12 hours and 36 minutes.
The CEO and his colleagues know they met the challenge with tenacity, and as McGinn reflected, it is "a story of resilience, teamwork, cold water, and one very persistent seal. We came. We swam. We conquered. And we’ll never look at a shipping lane the same way again!
“Every stroke we took was worth it, knowing it’s helping Aspire continue its life-changing work. I personally aimed to raise as much as possible to support Aspire's vital services. Every donation, no matter the size, is a step closer to ensuring someone regains their independence after a spinal injury."