An arts manager has set herself the challenge of swimming 100 miles to raise £3,000 for the Haiti earthquake appeal.
Jeanette Bain-Burnett, 31, who runs The Association of Dance of the African Diaspora near Sadler’s Wells Theatre on Roseberry Avenue, told Islington Now that she plans to swim 6,500 lengths for charity UNICEF.
London-born Jeanette spent her childhood in Jamaica, which is 100 miles from Haiti.
“Jamaica is so close to Haiti. My family and friends felt the tremors; what happened in Haiti could have happened to them,” she said.
Jeanette has chosen to support UNICEF because of the organisation’s commitment to protecting the rights of children.
“I have four nieces back in Jamaica and they are all very young. I would like to think that people would also help them if they were in the same situation. Also, it’s going to be a huge mental and physical challenge for me. I’m going to get in good shape, whilst drawing attention to the aftermath in Haiti.”
Jeanette hopes that her fundraising efforts will encourage other Islingtonians to think about inventive ways of helping their local community. “It’s not just about what’s happening in Haiti. I hope people will feel inspired to do whatever they can to help others in their own way,” she said.
Ruth Polling, executive member for leisure and equalities at Islington Council, said: “I wish Jeanette all the luck in the world and I hope that she gets a lot of sponsors so that she can help make a real difference for a good cause.”
To find out more about Jeanette’s progress and to make a donation, visit swimhaiti.wordpress.com
Photo credit – Soraya Kishtwari
Lovely story!