Raised: 69%
Target: £2,000.00
Raised so far: £1,383.50
Donate now

My story

 

ESCAPE FROM ALCATRAZ

On Saturday 23rd August 2008, Aaron and Matt will be attemtping our most daring and indeed dumbest charity event yet. We are going to attempt to swim from Alcatraz (AKA ‘The Rock’) and through the frigid and shark infested waters of San Francisco Bay to the mainland.

Should we survive the first part of the challenge with all our limbs intact, we are then going to do a seven mile run across the Golden Gate Bridge to ensure our Escape from Alcatraz is a complete success – these blood hounds and sadistic wardens can really be a pain to fugitives on the run!

In its 29 years as an infamous maximum-security prison, no one escaped alive from the menacing shores of Alcatraz, although to this day there are five prisoners “missing, presumed drowned”. The waters rarely reach a temperature above 58 degrees, making hypothermia a real possibility, while unforgiving currents meant that only the very fittest could survive.

We have had six months to train for the Alcatraz Challenge Aquathon, which for two of the most unfit people in Torquay, really wasn't that long. The event is a race, although to be quite honest, we will just be happy to finish it in one piece. Our plan is to swim in the middle of everyone else and hope the sharks take out those on the edges!

We are doing the swim and run to raise money for Rowcroft Hospice, which is where we need your help. We need people to sponsor us – after all, we are literally risking life and limb to pull off this stunt. What’s more, 100% OF THE SPONSORSHIP MONEY WILL BE DONATED DIRECTLY TO ROWCROFT. We strongly feel that sponsorship money should not be used to finance trip abroad, but always go directly to the charity concerned. 

We will also be organising a series of events and putting special sponsorship tins in several venues in and around the bay, so please support in any way you can…it’ll make the prosthetic limbs worthwhile!

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor us: Rowcroft Hospice will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

So please sponsor us now and leave a message of support!

Huge thanks

Matt & Aaron xxx

Well done.I don't know you but I think what you've done is inspiring and totally selfless and Rowcroft Hospice is a very worthy cause Donation by Christine Whitfield 15/09/08  

£50.00

well done on completing the Alcatraz challenge Donation by simon newbury 08/09/08  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Love ya both heaps xxx Donation by Debra & Tim Searle 21/08/08  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

In memory of Charles Robert Lewis Donation by Andrew & Pattie 18/08/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Don't drown...or drink too much!Sea water Donation by Christine Newbury 17/08/08  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Do it for Charlie (amongst others)! Be careful of the sharks... and the cold water... and the 7 mile run! Best of luck! Donation by Holly and chums 12/08/08  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

Have been to San Francisco twice - it's great and Alcatraz is really spooky. Good luck Donation by Alison 07/08/08  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

Good Luck and have fun. Im going to Alcatraz next week shame i will miss you! i come back on the 20th. Who ever you guys are Donation by Shelly Nicholson 07/08/08  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

Bloody good luck and good on you! Donation by Ali Myers 07/08/08  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

No idea who you ar can't normally be bothered with 'News' pages but this one was truly entertaining! Donation by Lizz Higgins 07/08/08  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

Best of luck! I have been to Alcatraz recently, and confirm how cold it is crossing the bay, even on a boat!!! Donation by Pat Collins 07/08/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Go for it! Good Luck to you both! Donation by Linda 29/07/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

This money was kindly raised by the staff and customers at the Meadfoot Inn, through an afternoon and evening of fundraising fun. Thanks to all! Donation by Meadfoot Inn 24/06/08  

£828.00

Good luck guys and here's a £5 donation (I'm still a poor student!). Donation by Romana Dekker 12/05/08  

£5.00

Great challenge! Good luck! Donation by Boo 30/04/08  

£15.00

I want pictures of before AND after! Donation by Cedric 31/03/08  

£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid

Better you than me. Best of luck to both of you. Donation by George B 18/03/08  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

Do you feel lucky? Donation by Al D 14/03/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Getting fit with the possiblity of losing a limb, great job. Donation by Rev Mark 12/03/08  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Love the poster! We have total faith in you. Keep pounding the pool and pavements. Wish we could joi Donation by Hayley Barnard 11/03/08  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Good luck to both of you... Never mind the sharks watch out for the seals they can be real mean Donation by Pat Shaw 06/03/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Go get 'em! Donation by Katherine Brown 06/03/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Not being funny but....good luck! Donation by Danielle 06/03/08  

£3.00 + £0.85 Gift Aid

Is it true that most people get attacked by sharks in three feet of water about ten feet from the beach? Good Luck guys, you can do it!! Donation by Laura 27/02/08  

£7.50 + £2.12 Gift Aid
Donate now
 
* Total raised online: £1,383.50
  Offline donations: £0.00
  Gift Aid plus supplement: £136.94

* Charities pay a small fee for our service.
Find out how much it is and what we do for it.