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St Kilda swimmers win top award

Written by Fiona

March 17 2016

The St Kilda Swim Team, who swam 60 miles from St kilda to Hushinish, Isle of Harris, last summer, have been crowned the National Adventure Awards Team of the Year.

The seven swimmers took on difficult conditions in the North Atlantic Ocean in the west of Scotland to complete the relay and to raise money for The Leanne Fund, The Fishermen’s Mission, Yorkhill Children’s Charity and Aberlour Child Care Trust.

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The St Kilda swimmers were supported by three kayakers and a cabin cruiser. They are the first swimming team to complete the dangerous and challenging crossing.

Last night, two of the team swimmers, Colin MacLeod and John Dyer, received the top award at a Grand Central Hotel ceremony.

John says: “We were shortlisted alongside The Yukon Assignment, The Arctic Rugby  Challenge, The Eiger Paraclimb, Donnie Campbell and Andrew Murray and also David Lintern and David Hine.

“We were delighted to be chosen as the winners in such a fantastic group of adventurers and we were presented with our award by the host and head of the judging panel, Cameron McNeish.

“It was a great night, especially meeting likeminded people who were prepared to challenge themselves physically and mentally and just being in their company was humbling and inspiring.

“The rest of the team are delighted in our award and it’s now on the way to the Isle of Lewis, the home of most of the team.”

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Congrats to the St Kilda team who had to call off their first attempt at the swim due to adverse weather. I think their own success in the summer of 2015 is humbling and inspirational. Also see National Adventure Awards.

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