90
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91
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‘Pay bearer, one hundred and fifty thousand
aficionados of a certain Gilbertian patter song—‘From
pounds sterling.’ To coincide with Wellington
Marathon to Waterloo in order categorical’. The ‘order
College’s 150 years of existence, we are raising
categorical’ in our case was Wellington–Dover–Channel–
this sum to present to an international charity of great
Waterloo–Cannes–and on to Elba. These are routes that
importance and wonderful life-changing value to its ben-
our own dear Arthur, Duke of Wellington would have
eficiaries. Hope and Homes operates in many countries,
known, as well as the man who sped towards his personal
but we have chosen to support their Sierra Leone opera-
destiny at Waterloo, arch foe Napoleon. Nosey versus
tion. That country has the highest infant mortality rate in
Boney. Good job the former prevailed. ‘Bonaparte Col-
T
the world. It is still deeply
lege’ just doesn’t have the
affected by the terrible
right ring about it. Anyway
war which cost the lives
enough of a counter-factual
of 50,000 people.
More
history lesson. The run to
to keep going even when we had seen jellyfish, various
‘The pupil and staff team had originally planned to race
than half the population be-
Dover involved 17 runners
forms of pollution, tankers and sea cats, which rocked our
each other, but when that didn’t work, we combined forces
came homeless. Hope and
with 15 legs, covering up-
tiny fishing boats to the point that we thought they were
to tackle the Channel together. The boats to start on 18th
Homes helps those children
wards of 10 miles per run-
going to tip over on top of the swimmer, and to swim in the
August had the following on them: with Reg Brickell—team
living on the streets, young
ner. The team included the
dark with only the lights on the boats to guide us’.
members Trishan Vaikunthanathan, Jenny Whalley, James
mothers living alone and
fleet-footed Dr Seldon: the
‘The first time we tried to cross was 13th August.
Lyne, Steve Blosse, George Benfield and Eunice Gillan; and
families at risk of break-
Revd Charles Kingsley, an
The conditions looked good and we were feeling very
with Andy King, team members Charlie Maughan, Evgeny
1859
parent,
positive. Two teams hit the water at 2:30 a.m. with the
Shuvalov, Ollie Hickinbotham, Alex Miller, Georgie Singer,
A group of four students, Max Fawcett [Bd], Charlie
would have been proud. The route followed the Black-
first swimmers needing to swim to the beach, get out
Chris Jobson and Katy Granville-Chapman. The weather was
Byrd [Bn], Patrick Ware [L] and Anya Nelson [Ap] visited
water valley and then along the Pilgrims’ Way to Dover.
and then swim back to the boat to start the crossing
significantly better and we escaped without any rain, which
Sierra Leone in December 2008.
They toured many
This activity was masterminded by Nick Maloney [CR].
from land. The teams were the pupil team, comprising
was a real bonus given that the boats were uncovered ! It was
towns and villages around the capital, Freetown, to speak
David Walker [CR]organised the parallel College to Do-
Charlie Maugham [M], Ollie Hickenbotham [Bn], Georgie
however, still extremely choppy, particularly in the shipping
with young people, discover how Hope and Homes has
ver cycling expedition. Pupils and staff had their sponsor-
Singer [Ap], Alex Miller [Bl], Evgeny Shuvalov [T] and
lane when 800m long tankers and Sea Cats were passing us.
helped them and return to Wellington to inspire pupils,
ship cards full of willing donors, and the cash rolled in.
Barney Kempster [R] and staff team of Craig Morris, Lucy
There were also really cold patches caused by up-welling’.
staff, parents and friends to support the venture. ‘It was
Again, Kinsgley would have rejoiced in the Channel
Wellington students visit Sierra Leone
down. So now do we.
Wellington
Channel swim
Pearson, Chris Jobson, Katy Granville-Chapman, Kitty Jack
‘Both boats made a fantastic start and we were
a sobering experience’, said Anya. ‘I
swim.
‘Very manly—and womanly’,
and Delyth Draper. Unfortunately, neither team made it
absolutely thrilled and overwhelmed by the commitment
have never seen such poverty and
he might have said. It is a venture,
this time, due to deteriorating weather conditions and
that everyone showed to the challenge. After more than
sadness. It’s been so humbling’.
however, not to be undertaken lightly.
sea sickness. But both teams were incredibly grateful to
9 hours one of the boats had to turn back, but we are
The first major enterprise was
The costs are quite steep and there
their helpers Eunice Gillan and Jenny Whalley, who did an
delighted to say that Andy King’s boat made it across to
when the