The Ukrainian community I have had the pleasure to meet in freediving showed so much strength and resilience and I am deeply saddened by the recent course of events. In order to raise some funds to support their fight for survival, buying food and medicine, I am starting a freediving challenge.

Next Sunday 13th I'll be swimming as many laps as I can in bifin in one hour in a serie of 25m laps at Canyon Pool in Dahab.

I challenge my diving buddies David Mellor, Ilaria Bosi and Gary McGrath to do the same, and they will in turn nominate other 3 freedivers or freediving organization to join the challenge.   

I have set up a justgiving account - you can support and donate as you like and all monies received will go to support Ukrainian Red Cross. Because together we are stronger.

Are you a freediver? Are you in? If you want to join the challenge, please use #freedivingforukraine #onehourchallenge #onehourforukraine on social media. Contact us and your name will be added to our justgiving page.

The raised funds will be sent to the Ukrainian Red Cross via their website: https://redcross.org.ua/en/donate/

Proof of donation will be provided as soon as funds are accessible and available for transfer (eta 15-16 March 2022)

Athletes participating to the challenge:

David Mellor, Ilaria Bosi, Gary McGrath, Bristol Freedivers, Smaragda Xenofou, Jun Matsuno, Roberto Butera, Giacomo Sergi, Valerio Zacchi Pecaut, Alessia Zecchini, Andrea Tucci, Carlos Henrique Barbieri, Daniel Droste, Renee Blundon, Stella Diamant, Royal Wolu Plongée Club, Andrea Gentili, Mélinda Mayol, Marc Frognet, Olivier Hons, Alexis Servaes, Veronica Lazo Contreras, Dominique De Troyer, Marc Verstappen, Arnaud Collard, Wide Hogenhout, Pauline Lechevalier, Cedric Grolleau, Cécile Ibarra, John Lapeyra Martin, Zakaria Brahmi, Stephane Goessens, Beata Stuligrosz, Grégoire Morgan, Nicolas Dcm, Melinda Mayol, Pierre Boyer, Nic Wood

Thanks to Dahab Freedivers for facilitating the logistics to the pool venue