A London, England, couple, Mr. Robert Fawcett and Mrs. Deborah Fawcett, are the owners of two luxury estate homes at Cuisinart Golf Resort and Spa and are lovers of Anguilla with a conviction and determination to give back to the island and its people.
They, in association with their children and a number of friends, have found a novel way of doing so by arranging for a charity swim from Gallis Bay, St. Martin on Friday morning, July 29, to Anguilla, beginning at 6.00, with the termination area at Cove Bay.
The event was arranged in collaboration with Anguilla Water Sports; and Calypso Charters whose boats, as well as one owned by the Fawcett family, will be accompanying the swimmers and transporting a number of persons. It was also expected that a number of other sea craft would participate in the event, thus making the area of water between the two islands a busy and fun-filled pastime.
The charity event is aimed at raising funds to refurbish bathrooms at Campus A of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School as well as other schools as may be possible.
The children of the Fawcett family will join a number of local swimmers in the event which may take several hours. It is expected, however, that some of them will eventually drop out leaving a few skilled persons to complete the charity swim.
Following the swim, there will be a fundraising luncheon – at Smokey’s on Cove Bay – for families, children, and other persons. Interested persons may also have access to the water park.
Mrs. Deborah Fawcett, who has been the driving force behind the event, said she, her husband, their children, and friends, were very much excited about it.
“This is my idea,” she told The Anguillian on Wednesday. “I fell in love with Anguilla fifteen years ago. It filled my heart with joy and I have been coming back ever since and it was our decision – Robert and I. We felt that it was time for us to give something back to an island which had given our friends and our family so much joy and happiness over the years.
“We felt it would be good to start a charity event that would involve Anguillians and all the many friends and families who come every year and enjoy the island. With that in mind, we decided to take up this challenge of swimming from St. Martin to Anguilla. With much planning, a charity page, and basically going to all our business friends, associates and family members, who had been touched by the magic of Anguilla, we were able to raise some funds. Most people have been more than happy to donate very, very generously and then we wanted the island to be generally involved.
“My feeling, as a mother, was that we would like to address the bathroom facilities [for the ALHCS] and we thought that would be a good way to start with a view to hoping that this charity swim continues to be a yearly event. Every year we can focus on bringing something that is needed to help this island.”
Mr. Robert Fawcett, her husband, said he had discussed the event with a number of young men in Anguilla who were of the view that such a charity swim would be an excellent idea, noting that a similar event was held some years ago. He joined his wife in expressing delight and gratitude to all those who had supported the idea and gave assistance to towards that end.
Mr. Fawcett is a Jeweller by profession and owns business properties in the United Kingdom and Europe. He and his family regularly visit Anguilla, spending much time, especially during the summer, at one of their estate homes. He owned three such homes, but sold one and is among a number of other visiting home-owners at the golf course property. He is planning to have a party for some sixty persons who will be visiting Anguilla shortly from the United States and other countries.
Anguilla’s Minister of Education and Social Development, Mr. Evans McNiel Rogers, thanked Mr. and Mrs. Fawcett, their family and friends, for their kind gesture in giving back to Anguilla and its people, and for investing in the island.
