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A 34-year-old man set off early this morning for a swim around the island in a bid to raise money for three charities that supported him and his family after his stepfather passed away from a brain tumour.
Dean Anderson is hoping to raise funds for three different charities, Macmillan Jersey, Mind and St. Barnabas Hospice (Lincoln).
“My step dad, Tim, passed away two years ago from a brain tumour,” he explained. “We were supported by Macmillan when things were bad, and St. Barnabas provided end-of-life care. I wanted to do a challenge that will raise as much as possible for them.”
Dean’s mum, Kay, said his Tim would be very proud of him, adding “He would have thought he was mad!”
Pictured: Dean's stepfather, Tim, passed away two years ago of a brain tumour.
He set off this morning around 05:30 from Elizabeth Castle and has been swimming anti-clockwise. He hoped to complete the 40-mile swim – which is his longest ever following his six-hour qualifying swim - within 12 to 14 hours.
Dean has been swimming since a young age and took part in various competitions for two different clubs – the Lincoln Vulcans and the City of Lincoln Pentacqua – between the age of eight and 14.
After moving to Jersey five years ago, he was introduced to sea swimming by his “fantastic” swimming coach Wendy Trehiou.
Pictured: Dean with his children, Amelie and Lucas.
Dean started training in the pool at the end of last year before transitioning to the sea in March, when the water was only nine degrees. “I have to admit I let out a little yelp as I got in,” Dean said. “It was the only time I have got into the water very slowly. I have learned very quickly that sometimes it’s better to just get in.”
For the last four months, Dean has been swimming five times a week, spending three hours a day in the water, sometimes very early in the morning. Luckily, he hasn’t been facing the cold water on his own, as he was joined by Wendy, Linda Breen, Lou Wagstaffe and colleague Matt Elcock, who will also be attempting a round the island swim soon.
“Work [HSBC] have been very flexible, which has been very helpful” Dean said. “It’s been difficult to balance everything. I have two young children, Amelie and Lucas, who are three and one. Having them I was trying to make sure we were all working together. It’s nice that they got to see the training, it shows what you can do when you want to do something that matters to you.”
So far, Dean has raised £3,500 to which HSBC will add £1,000 as part of a ‘pound-for-pound’ matched donation. “The generosity of people has been humbling,” Dean said. “A lot of people have contributed to my Macmillan page and also wanted to get involved with words of support. I’ve been truly humbled.”
In addition to the swimming, Dean says the mental preparation has been very important - something Wendy helped with. “She wanted to make sure that we were not going to hold ourselves to a standard that is going to take away from the whole thing, like reaching a landmark at a certain time.”
Although he will be pleased when he completes his swim, Dean says it is not the most important thing. “The biggest thing is not the swim but what it is in aid of. I am luckily able to do something to raise funds and the best feeling will be to give back to people that really helped us through an awful lot.”
Pictured: Dean swimming with Matt Elcock, who will soon be completing a swim around the island too.
Ahead of his swim, Dean said he was feeling “nervous and excited” at the same time. Luckily, he said, he will be supported throughout the swim by a crew of friends following him on a boat.
Wendy will be there, as well as Steve, the boat captain, who will make Dean keeps to the right path and Jason Baker, Dean’s colleague, who will be updating him on his progress. Dee, from the Jersey Long Distance Swimming Club, will also be on deck to ratify the swim.
Beyond his fundraising efforts, Dean hopes his swim will inspire more islanders to get into the water to enjoy the benefits of sea swimming. “One of the things Matt and I have seen is that sea swimming in the temperatures we have is fantastic for your mental health. I strongly recommend people contact Jersey Long Distance Swimming Club or even ourselves.
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“I have seen a massive difference in my overall health, but it also gives you time to think. Once you get into the rhythm of routine, it allows your mind to wander and you think about your day.”
Dean is however urging everyone to be safe in the water. “I recommend people go with other people. Taking guidance from people is key. There are hidden dangers in the sea, things like riptides so it’s important people seek guidance from swimming clubs, Wendy or that they go with a group.”
Dean isn't the only one completing a round-island swim today, with Jerseyman Andy Truscott also taking to the water to lap the island three times in a world record attempt. Express will be following both men on their swimming journeys.
Pictured top: Dean with Matt Elcock, Wendy Trehiou and Linda Breen. (Lou Wagstaffe)
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