Swimmers tackle Channel distance to aid earthquake victim's family

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 22 Oct, 14:29 · Archive

A group of regular swimmers at Ilkley Pool are swimming 34km collectively to raise money for a friend's family made homeless by a Colombian earthquake.

A group of swimmers from Ilkley, Addingham, Menston and Riddlesden is undertaking a sponsored swim this Sunday at Ilkley Pool to raise money for a friend's family made homeless by an earthquake in Colombia. The 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck the Cali area on 10 August, destroying the home of Jorge Martinez's mother and brother and all their possessions.

Mr Martinez lives in Addingham with his wife Rachel and has been part of the local community for 25 years. He has swum regularly at Ilkley Pool with the group for more than 20 years. His daughter Chenoa attended Ilkley Grammar School. The swimmers have organised the fundraiser to support their long-standing friend during a difficult time.

The sponsored swim on Sunday, 25 October, will see the group collectively cover 34km—the distance of the English Channel—during a three-hour challenge at the pool. Swimmer Tony Starling, who set up the JustGiving campaign, said the group wanted to help. "We are trying to raise as much as we can for the family of one of our team, Jorge, whose mother and brother lost their home and possessions in the Cali earthquake," he said.

According to Mr Starling, both family members survived the earthquake. However, like most families of modest means, they have no insurance cover and will have to rebuild their lives from nothing.

How it is being reported

• Pool friends tackle Channel swim challenge for family left homeless by earthquakeA GROUP of swimmers is preparing to take on the equivalent of a Channel crossing this weekend to raise money for a friend whose family lost their home in a devastating earthquake in Colombia.Telegraph & Argus · 22 Oct, 14:15
• Pool friends tackle Channel swim challenge for family left homeless by earthquakeA GROUP of swimmers is preparing to take on the equivalent of a Channel crossing this weekend to raise money for a friend whose family lost their home in a devastating earthquake in Colombia.Wharfedale Observer · 22 Oct, 14:05
• Pool friends tackle Channel swim challenge for family left homeless by earthquakeA GROUP of swimmers is preparing to take on the equivalent of a Channel crossing this weekend to raise money for a friend whose family lost their home in a devastating earthquake in Colombia.Keighley News · 22 Oct, 14:05

In this story: Jorge Martinez · Ilkley Pool · Cali · Colombia · Tony Starling

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