National research indicates that there are approximately 3,000 young carers in Portsmouth looking after family members or supporting friends who due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction cannot cope without their support. Armed with this information, Larcomes LLP, winners of this year’s Hampshire Law Society “Small Law Firm of the Year Award”, decided to support the young carers group in Southsea by swimming the Solent to raise much needed funds on their behalf.
Team Larcomes comprising of Natalie Courage, Mark Tooley, Janice Ward, Edward Shackleton, Scot Binstead, Dave Chadwick, Ray Gibbs and Matthew Dixon took to the cold waters for an early start at 8am on Saturday the 5th of September. The team set off from Gilkicker point in Gosport to head off to Ryde on the Isle of Wight and they swam a distance of just under 3 miles (a pretty long way just for a stick of rock)! Dodging the odd IOW ferry and cruise liners was all in a day’s work, as was swimming alongside massive jelly fish. First out of the water was Mark Tooley at an impressive time of 1 hour 12 minutes, with Natalie Courage coming in a close second.
All monies raised will enable the young carers to arrange activities and days out and the monies currently stand at £5,129.22 (with the promise of more to come). Please help to play a part to support this very worthwhile group of young people, by clicking on the link below to donate whatever you can https://localgiving.com/fundraising/larcomessolentswim or alternatively, please contact Natalie Courage on 023 9244 8137 or email: natalie.courage@larcomes.co.uk