For 'Dystonia Awareness Month' the Solent Dolphins crossed the iconic Solent waters from Gosport to the Isle of Wight, raising awareness and money!

On Sunday 19th September 2021 the Solent Dolphins, made up of 20 swimmers and kayakers, crossed the iconic Solent waters from Gosport to the Isle of Wight! Raising awareness and money for both Dystonia UK & BRACE Alzheimer's Research.

It was a beautiful sunny day with such calm waters, perfect conditions to set off in! After a detailed safety brief and warning of the massive freight ships, passenger and recreational vessels occupying the narrow channel they eventually set off. The team triumphantly crossed the 2.4-mile stretch to Ryde and landed back on shore at 6pm, wet and cold but still so happy and energetic as when they left. The Solent proved to be the ultimate test of endurance, stamina and resolve but the team smashed their challenge and finished with massive smiles all around.

As part of 'Team On Tour' for 'Dystonia Awareness Month', our own Director of Operations and Development, Victoria, was on board the support vessel helping to guide the team across the channel, raising spirits throughout the challenge! On shore Chris and Fran helped cheer on the team with some of our newest and youngest Team Dystonia UK cheerleaders! It was an amazing day and we are so grateful to the team for organising and taking on this challenge for Dystonia UK.

Solent Dolphins Story

"We're excited and grateful to be able to take on this unique challenge and more importantly raise awareness and much needed money for vitally important clinical research and patient education. We recognise, from our day to day work with the NHS, the extreme challenges faced by our conscientious NHS colleagues and the impact COVID-19 has had on funding and supporting clinical research and patient care. 'As One’ we're hoping to help. We're very thankful to Boston Scientific, our sponsors, for making this event possible."

Solent Dolphins - Swimmers, kayakers & support team: Kristan Alliston (UK), Nadege Benali (FRA), Alistair Burnett (UK), Andrea Caradonna (ITA), Celine Constant (FRA), Graeme Dickson (UK), Abigail Giacchetto (UK), David Jasinski (POL/USA), Adam Jones (UK), Mark Meikle (UK), Anna Passmore (UK), Gil Rabbie (UK), Pedro Rebelo (PRT), Simon Rodemark (UK), Adina Seaton (UK), Vincent Sourdaine (FRA), Jenna Steel (UK), Cindy Van Lenthe (NOR), Paul Wilkins (UK), Paul Woodhead (UK).

Published: 21st September 2021