Talking of a refreshed style of travelling, this is really the way! Bestival on the isle of Wight took place last weekend and attracted thousands of revellers eager to show off their costumes.. The majority of Bestival goers travelled the conventional way, although twelve had other plans. They planned to swim across the Solent as a group to raise cash for charity.
This intrepid group of swimmers each received complimentary tickets to Bestival courtesy of the organisers, for making the fundraising trip.They swum across one of the busiest bits of water in the world. For everyone else it was business as usual travelling by Isle of Wight ferries making the journey between Portsmouth – Ryde, and Lymington – Yarmouth.
The swimmers geared themselves for the Friday start, which took them from Stokes Bay to Ryde Pier on the Isle of Wight. Swim2Bestival set out to make some money for the Imibala Trust, and Educational trust based in South Africa, and the Marie Curie Cancer Charity. The Imibala Trust, a South African charity is helping to fund the education for the multitude of disadvantaged kids in the region. One of the coordinators of the swim, Yasmin Hussein a teacher, worked with the trust earlier in the year, and felt inspired to give something back. The swimmers, who came for all over the UK, wanted to raise enough money to purchase a new school minibus.
The idea for the swim was embraced by DJ Rob Da Bank, who was headlining the Bestival. Not only has he ensured the swimmers received their free entry, but he also allowed them to raise extra money at the Bestival by polishing and cleaning shoes. One of the swimmers was heard to remark: Its a crazy way to get to there, but Bestival stirs up crazy ideas. Its a brilliant little boutique festival.
Bestival was a three day festival held in the Robin Hill Country Park, its established site for several years. The final amount raised has not been announced, although we are expecting something to be broadcast soon.