Herne Bay Cadet To Swim The Channel

An air cadet from Herne Bay is preparing to put on their goggles for a cross channel swim for charity. Cadet Corporal Jack Fitzpatrick, aged 17, of 1063 (Herne Bay) […]

An air cadet from Herne Bay is preparing to put on their goggles for a cross channel swim for charity.
Cadet Corporal Jack Fitzpatrick, aged 17, of 1063 (Herne Bay) Squadron is joining a team of intrepid swimmers from across the country to battle tides and jellyfish on a relay swim of the English Channel this summer.
The challenge in early July is just one of many events the RAF Air Cadets are holding this year to celebrate their 75th anniversary.
Jack has been training hard at The Kingsmead Pool in Canterbury, The Herons Pool in Herne Bay and in the sea at Tankerton for months building up endurance and stamina as well as getting used to the motion of the sea.
The 21-mile swim is expected to take upwards of 12 hours, with each swimmer – in two teams – bracing the 16 ºC waters for an hour at a time.
The swim will be adjudicated by an observer from the Channel Swimming Association to ensure that all rules are followed for the event to be officially recognised.
Jack said: “We have all put in a massive amount of training and had to go through a rigorous selection process so it will be good to get into the water – we’re all very excited and hopefully we will also raise money for the RAF Air Cadets.”
Warrant Officer Adrian Penfold, Jack’s Squadron Commander said: “Jack has always been an excellent swimmer and we wish him the best of luck with this mammoth event.
“They have trained extremely hard and deserve to be part of the squad.”
If you’d like to sponsor Jack for the cross channel swim, more information can be found at http://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/Cross-Channel-Swim
Mike Neville, RAF Benevolent Fund Director of Strategy and Fundraising, said: Jack is a shining example to the Air Training Corps and the Cadets in his Squadron. It is the RAF Benevolent Fund’s absolute pleasure to support the Cadets in this endeavour as thousands of Cadets have supported the Fund over the years, volunteering their time to support our fundraising activities. Good luck to all taking part!”
More information about the RAF Air Cadets, including how to join, can be found at www.raf.mod.uk/aircadets