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12
Feb 2021
Adventure in the blood for wild swimming fundraiser
The sister of adventurer Bear Grylls is taking on her own challenge - in the waters of the River Nidd at Knaresborough.
Lara Fawcett, 54, has set herself the challenge of swimming for five minutes, three times a week throughout February, aiming to raise £50,000 for charity.
She is supporting the Archbishop of York Youth Trust, which works in partnership with schools, churches and communities to support young people to develop their leadership skills, confidence and character-building. Through its Young Leaders Award, it has enabled more than 100,000 young people from 850 schools to learn and practise social action will help them transform their communities.
Lara said:
She said youth services across the UK are under severe strain following a decade of funding cuts, amounting to £1bn. A £500m Youth Investment Fund promised by the government has been delayed by the covid crisis.
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Recent National Youth Agency research has found that one in four youth charities are on the brink of collapse, unable to meet their costs beyond March. Dan Finn, chief executive of the Archbishop of York Youth Trust, said:
For her #FrostyFeb challenge, Lara, who lives in Wetherby, has chosen designated safe wild swimming areas of the River Nidd and River Ure in North Yorkshire and is encouraging other experienced cold-water swimmers to join her. Alternatively, anyone who can't get out into open water is invited to take part by having an ice bath or lying in the snow for one minute and making a donation to the charity.
Lara added:
To donate to Lara's fundraising challenge, click here.
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