The Sharp’s Brewery team of Aaron McClure (technical brewer), Barry Mills (quality and food safety manager), and Ali Burgess (events co-ordinator)

 

Three staff from Sharp’s Brewery participated in the annual Padstow to Rock swim in Cornwall, with proceeds going to the Marie Curie charity, which cares for people living with a terminal illness and their families.

This year’s event has currently raised nearly £80,000 in support of Marie Curie nurses in Cornwall, with its epic one-mile open water swim across the Camel Estuary. The total amount raised will be announced in about three weeks’ time.

In addition to sponsoring the swim, Sharp’s put forward its own team of three in the race. There was Aaron McClure (technical brewer), Barry Mills (quality and food safety manager), and Ali Burgess (events co-ordinator).

The trio, who enjoyed training together, all completed the course, and to top off their achievement, Ali Burgess, who has endured her own battle with a serious illness, received the endeavour award for her services and commitment to the swim.

The Padstow to Rock swim was started in the early 1970s when Sarah Hawkins persuaded friends and family to swim across the estuary to raise money for charity. Since then, the event has grown massively and is today run by a local swim committee, with the help of the main four sponsors: Sharp’s Brewery, The Seafood Restaurant, Hotel Metropole, and Mariners Lettings.

Sharp’s Brewery donated the t-shirts that the swimmers received once they completed the challenge, as well as the beer for spectators at the event. Money from each pint sold went directly to Marie Curie.

 

‘Impressive amount’

 

Lynda Thomas, community fundraiser for Marie Curie in Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly and the Channel Islands, said: “Marie Curie is very grateful for the support from the community to raise this impressive amount in support of nurses all around the county.

“We must also give thanks to the swimmers who, year after year, come back to complete this amazing challenge, and, of course, to our incredible sponsors, Sharp’s Brewery, The Seafood Restaurant, Hotel Metropole and Mariner’s Lettings.”

Sharp’s Brewery’s senior brand manager, James Nicholls, said: “The Padstow to Rock swim is such an integral part of the local community calendar here in North Cornwall and we were once again honoured to provide support alongside the other valuable sponsors.

“The volunteer and support team, together with the Marie Curie team, provide the time and expertise needed to make this happen each year, and yet again it was a fantastic event.

“We are, of course, especially proud of Ali, who has gone above and beyond to support the swim over the years on behalf of Sharp’s. Well done to Ali and all the Sharp’s swim team, and everyone involved in raising another epic amount for Marie Curie.”

Sharp's Padstow Rock swim