Sarah and Seth are undertaking a sponsored swim across the River Tavy from ‘The Folly’ to ‘The Quay in Bere Ferrers’ which is around one mile.  Might not sound much but both Sarah and Seth
are frequent open water swimmers but not strong or long-distance swimmers so this is a challenge!

The aim is to raise in excess of £2,000 in order to rescue, rehabilitate and release one seal pup this season.

WHY are we doing this?  I lost my sister, Liz in 2018 far too early and for over a year I prayed many times whilst wild swimming in the River Tavy that if all was ok with her I would see a seal.  Never expecting this to happen I gave up my prayers but on 16^th October ’19 a seal swam up the channel, turned left and joined me for my morning dip – I was initially frightened and screamed as it was so huge and it took me a minute to realise what it was!!!* * This was the most amazing experience of my life, I now KNOW Liz is ok and we are going to name our pup ‘Liz’ when we release her.  We are involving some of the local children and building a relationship between our village, Bere Ferrers and the Seal Sanctuary in Gweek. 

An amazing local boy named Winslow age 6 is going to be our lifeboat man so we have no worries with health and safety – he is our ‘River Boy!’

Please give generously to help support the Cornish Seal Sanctuary to Put Pups First.The Cornish Seal Sanctuary rescues 75+ pups in need every year from around the coastline. Seal pups can find themselves in difficulty due to issues such as malnourishment due to separation from mum, wounds caused by marine litter or storms and disturbance from human activity, leaving them unable to fend for themselves in the wild. With decades of experience, the sanctuary's team of experts are able to give them the care they need, administering live saving medication or surgery and helping them to learn how to fend for themselves in the wild.Those who cannot be released due to ongoing medical issues are offered a permanent home at the specially designed site in Gweek. Due to Coronavirus the sanctuary has found themselves in difficulties this year. As pups cost, on average, £2000 to rehabilitate, the sanctuary needs our support more than ever.Anything you can give will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

*My husband Peter saw from the bedroom what was happening and managed to capture a photograph (Please see 'Gallery/Photos').

*The Seal Research Centre have said this is totally out of character and that a seal has never been seen in this particular area.

Our 'ongoing seal fundraising team' is:

Sarah Morris, Sally Robertson, Annie May-Somerville and Jane Swann