The Bare Cheek Of It

Thursday, 12 March 2009 13:05

Newcastle

Newcastle strip down to swim the Channel

Students, speedos, bodypaint... it could be an all-included 18-30 holiday in Lanzarote.

The reality for seventeen brave students was somewhat different: not for them the balmy beaches of the Mediterranean, sippin' on a Fishbowl, but rather the frigid concrete of Newcastle's main shopping street, WH Smith's and a bunch of teenagers with cameraphones.

Let us join in admiration, applause and a little bit of ogling for Newcastle Student Ambassador Rob Kirkland and the kind and corageous students who accompanied him in their fundraising venture last week. The group assembled in Northumberland Street, the main shopping street of Newcastle, and in the glow of the Carphone Warehouse window stripped down to their speedos. With 'Right To Play' and 'Text 'PLAY' to 81400' daubed on their chests, the group officially launched the Right To Play Day Campaign by parading down the busy street to the pool.


Rob Kirkland said:

"The lads were pretty nervous at first, socks down trunks, that kind of thing. They soon warmed up to it though - lots of young girls were asking for photos and they were definitely enjoying the attention. At one point I thought we weren't going to be able to get them in the pool!"

Twenty-one students did eventually slip into the pool and between them swam an impressive 36km - the length of the English Channel - in less than 40 minutes. Their efforts are thought to have raised nearly £2000, a fantastic achievement that will enable approximately 130 disadvantaged children access to Right To Play's sport for develoment programmes in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.

The parade was televised on Tyne Tees, broadcast to every television set in the North-East of England on the Saturday afternoon.

Right To Play want to say a huge thank you to Rob Kirkland and all the Newcastle students who took part for launching the 2009 Right To Play Day campaign in such a showstopping fashion. Their naked ambition in helping children affected by war, poverty and disease will be remembered for a long time to come.


TEXT LINES ARE NOW OPEN - TEXT 'PLAY@ to 81400! See Terms and Conditions here