EdenTree has doubled its initial £20k commitment to the Black Swimming Association following the success of The Big Swim challenge.
The challenge, launched in partnership with Team GB swimmer Alice Dearing in July, asked participants to collectively log lengths equal to 3,000km between 26 July and 25 August. However, over the course of the challenge, more than 15,000 swimmers took part and collectively covered 66,221km.
The responsible and sustainable asset manager, which is part of the Benefact Group, one of the largest corporate donors in the UK, has increased its initial commitment to the Black Swimming Association from £20k to £40k.
Commenting on the success of the challenge, Dan Barber, chief commercial officer, EdenTree, said: “We knew there’d be appetite to take part in the challenge but it exceeded all expectations with participants from 123 countries involved. The challenge was always about encouraging people to get into the pool, have fun and raise vital funds for an important cause. We’re delighted to be able to recognise the efforts of the participants by doubling the donation to £40k.”
The Black Swimming Association (BSA) is a charitable organisation co-founded by Alice Dearing. The BSA aims to drive forward participation, inclusion and diversity in swimming for black, Asian and minority ethnic people.
Seren Jones, co-founder of the Black Swimming Association, said: “We’re extremely delighted and grateful to EdenTree for doubling their donation that will go towards the work of the BSA. This funding will contribute towards working with experts in the field and co-creating with young people themselves, by targeting vital water safety resources at pupils in Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 in secondary schools across the country.”
Alice Dearing added: “It was really exciting to see the number of people who signed up to this challenge and who put a lot of hard work and effort in pools, oceans, lakes and rivers to raise money for the Black Swimming Association. I personally was blown away by how many people signed up for the challenge and how many metres were logged so quickly.
It has really shown the power that sport can have in coming together to create communities and advance an individual’s health and well-being for positive causes. I really want to say thank you to everyone who took part and shared our message.”
Pictured: Eden Tree CEO Andy Clark and Alice Dearing
