"Croissant la Manche" for local causes!

We're Alan, Catherine, Jon, Katie and Nicki. This July the 5 of us will be swimming as a team from Dover to Calais. Starting in the middle of the night, we will swim 1hr shifts until we arrive on French shores, hopefully between 15-20 hours later.

Whilst we're looking forward to the physical challenge of the swim, we are all also keen to raise money for some amazing local causes. We've chosen four charities in or around Brighton and Hove that work on issues close to our hearts:

Voices in Exile works with refugees, asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants with no recourse to public funds in East and West Sussex and Surrey. They offer practical and legal support including generalist advice and specialist immigration casework for those who would otherwise be unable to access justice. They also offer practical support including a weekly food and toiletries bank for those who are destitute; and also advocate for, accompany and enable people to access services, build community, and develop their own potential through a programme of learning and creative activities.

The Sussex Seabed Restoration project aims to raise awareness of the consequences of the ongoing destruction of the Sussex sea-bed, highlighting the environmental impact it had and how communities can play a crucial role in the protection and re-wilding of the sea. SSRP wants to deliver a long-term kelp restoration project to restore the coastal environment to its former natural beauty.

Rockinghorse Children's Charity is the official fundraising arm of the Royal Alex Children's Hospital in Brighton. Rockinghorse raises money for life-saving equipment, specialist projects and enhanced services for sick babies, children and young people in Sussex.

Moulsecoomb Forest Garden and Wildlife Project offers qualifications to pupils struggling at school and volunteering opportunities to people with learning difficulties. The project plays a lead role in the wider community, building much-needed continuity between the schools, the garden, the community pub, and a host of other organisations to meet local needs that are not met through traditional channels.

We'd be hugely grateful if you felt able to donate to our fundraiser. Thank you in advance and we look forward to reporting back on our progress across the Channel.