At its narrowest point, the English Channel is 21 miles of icy currents, tides, pollution, aquatic life and marine traffic. Starting Jun. 28, two teams of licensing professionals departed from Dover to relay race across miles of treacherous open water, swimming relentlessly against one another and battling the elements to reach France.  

This monumental effort is all in the name of The Light (Licensing Industry Giving Help Together) Fund. This registered charity has raised £1.7 million and funded hundreds of different charities since its inception in 2004.   

Now, The Light Fund English Channel Relay Swim 2022 will take that figure even further by achieving a target of £250,000.  

Team Optimist – comprising Ian Down (captain), Eion Wallace, Katie Price, Jason Goonery, Mark Bezodis, Kevin Langstaff and reserve Tamsyn Knight – and Team High Hopes – comprising Stephen Gould (captain), Mark Kingston, Rhys Fleming, Anna Hewitt, Anne Bradford, Simon Gresswell and reserve Terry Lamb – have helped The Light Fund reach 82% of its 250K target (201K) at the time of writing. The industry can continue supporting swimmers by accessing the JustGiving page.  

“Despite the demands of work and family, interruptions from stomach bugs and covid, everyday stuff like repetitive strain injury and even domestic accidents, which means one swimmer with a burn-blistered hand, we have trained diligently for months, and we’re as ready as we’re going to be,” says Steven Gould, team captain, organizer, The Light Fund English Channel Relay Swim 2022. “It won’t be easy reconciling the cold, dark, pollution, Channel traffic and seasickness with a cramped open-deck boat in this notorious stretch of water, but we’ll be buoyed up by the amazing support we have received and will no doubt continue to receive from our friends, colleagues and acquaintances. Thanks again and please remember that the best way to cheer us on in this arduous ordeal is to donate – no matter how seemingly small or insignificant the sum,” adds Gould. “As we battle through guaranteed stress and discomfort, there is no better motivation than an escalating fundraising figure on JustGiving!”  

The swimmers made their destination thanks to more than 18 months of relentless training, commitment and preparation.  

From everyone at The Global Licensing Group – License Global, Licensing Expo and relay sponsor Brand Licensing Europe – congratulations to the teams for landing in France safely and raising so much money for a great cause.