A Hove businessman aims to swim the English Channel as part of a six-person relay team today (Wednesday 8 August) to raise money for a children’s charity.
Rob Starr, 43, who lives and works in Hove, couldn’t even swim two and a half years ago when he agreed to the challenge at the age of 40.
He was due to set off from Dover at 4am with the aim of raising money for the Edward Starr Charitable Trust which was set up in memory of his father. The charity’s mission is to help children smile.
He said: “I went into the sea for the first time in April 2010.”
He decided to undertake two big challenges for the charity – to swim the Channel and run the Brighton Marathon.
Mr Starr said: “We’ve had people jumping out of aeroplanes. We’ve had people running marathons.
“I felt I had to do something bigger than everyone else as I’m the chairman (of the Edward Starr Charitable Trust).”
He had hoped to swim the Channel last year but a bout of bad health put paid to his plans.
Instead of giving up, he roped in five friends. He said: “It’s still a massive challenge but you’re only in the water for an hour at a time.
“Only three relays have made it this year.”
He well remembers approaching Fiona Southwell, of Brighton Swimming Club, the oldest woman to have swum the Channel solo.
Mr Starr said: “I told her I wanted to swim the Channel and she said: ‘Don’t be so daft!’ But she took us on.”
He said that her advice and guidance had been crucial.
And today the daily swims and regular gym sessions will be put to the test – less than four months after he ran the Brighton Marathon for the same charity.
Mr Starr, chief executive of Seico, the Hove insurance company and mortgage broker, said that supporters had promised more than £70,000 in sponsorship so far.
To donate, go to http://www.justgiving.com/swim4smiles2011. To read his blog, click here.
