12 Bays of Christmas - GSY give back day

Staff members of Robus Group, a local insurance management company, completed the “12 Bays of Christmas” challenge raising £3,018 for Les Bourgs Hospice

Every year the team look to support a charity and raise money for a worthy cause, this year Les Bourgs Hospice was selected. Founded in 1991 the Hospice is available to all in Guernsey at no charge.  As an independent charity their current fundraising target is £1.6 million per year to provide their valuable services and the Robus team were keen to help them fulfil this enormous target.

The 12 Bays of Christmas challenge had over 600 sign up in 2023 and required entrants to swim at a list of bays around the Island during the month of December.  The bays included were:

  1. Vaz-on the first day of Christmas

  2. Rocquaine around the Christmas Tree

  3. Bathing Yules

  4. Baby it's Cobo outside

  5. Porte-let it snow

  6. Away in Fermain-ger

  7. Saint Nick's Bay

  8. Chestnuts Rousse-ing on an open fire

  9. I'm dreaming of a Moulin Huet Christmas

  10. Cheese & Port Soif

  11. Grandes Rocques-in Robin

  12. Bordeaux-ho-ho

Sea swimming is hugely popular in Guernsey and for many it’s an all year round activity.  The Charity’s chosen bays ranged from rocky coves to long sandy beaches and the team completed all 12 swims, wading into the water at some and even diving off piers at others, each time spending several minutes in the cold sea to complete the task.

Many of the Robus team have felt the health benefits of taking the plunge.  Rich in magnesium, seawater helps relax your muscles, promote deep sleep and improve the immune system.  Another key benefit is the improvement it can make in a person’s mental health and wellbeing with swimming in the sea being linked to stimulating the parasympathetic system which is responsible for rest and repair and can trigger the release of dopamine and serotonin.

Commenting on the event Jamie Polson, Managing Director of Robus Guernsey, said “The event was an overwhelming success and the team fully embraced the challenge which was enormously fun to take part in.  Not only did we raise a significant amount of money for Les Bourgs Hospice which is an amazing cause, it also provided a real sense of team spirit in the Robus office and the fantastic achievement gave everyone a huge morale boost”.

Mr Dunning, one of the Guernsey Directors, commented, "I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge and it brought all the team together.  The weather at times was atrocious and on some days we did multiple bays in gale force winds and driving rain but it was hugely exhilarating!  Some of the team were unable to make all of the swims but did make the effort to catch up later on.  Justin Upson ended up doing 8 swims in 1 day!  He was accompanied by his daughter taking pictures to evidence the achievement!"

Robus is owned by the Ardonagh Group, the UK's largest independent insurance distribution network. The funds raised by Robus were kindly doubled by the company’s charitable arm, the Ardonagh Charitable Trust.

The link to sponsor is still open so please click below if you would like to donate.

 
 
Robus