What?

In 2006, David Walliams swam the English Channel smothered in Vaseline. In 2004, Richard Branson crossed it by amphibious car and lest we forget, in the 14^th century Sir Ulrich von Liechtenstein (Heath Ledger) was heaved across its murky depths by cable ferry.

Its histories are rich, and its crossings varied, but has
anyone ever been so bold as to make the 50km crossing from Calais to Dover, during a national lockdown in Tipperary, Ireland?  

On Sunday 31 January 2021, I will have just one week to “cross the English Channel” by any means possible. It is 50km from Calais to Dover and I will be swimming, running and walking that distance (incrementally) to raise money for Safe Passage UK. 

Why?

In October 2020, seven people died including five from one Iranian Kurdish family, when a small boat capsized off the French coast. Far from an isolated incident, there have been more than 300 border-related deaths in and around the English Channel since 1999. 

On 28 November 2020, Home Secretary Priti Patel signed an agreement with France to double down on the militarisation of the Franco-British border, in an effort to tackle illegal migration.

The crisis in the Mediterranean has shown that increased militarisation of borders is ineffective in reducing the number of people making precarious crossings.

Existing safe and legal routes for refugees, which the UK government is actively seeking to dismantle, must be protected or else the death toll will increase.

Thanks to Safe Passage UK and Lord Alf Dubs, a vital amendment to the EU Withdrawal Bill was passed, protecting the right to family reunion for child refugees in Europe after Brexit – which would otherwise have been removed. In addition to lobbying at policy level, Safe Passage UK helps unaccompanied child refugees find safe, legal routes to sanctuary.

Please donate if you can and/or you can sign this petition to pressure the government to stick to their commitment on child reunification: 

https://www.change.org/p/urgent-keep-reuniting-child-refugees-with-their-families-after-brexit              

You are all amazing - let's end the hostile environment together! 

Thank you!

Fin xoxo