RBC Challenge Cup goes to Customs team for the fourth year running

Monday 16 May 2016

The Customs & Immigration Team has once again won the RBC Challenge Cup at this year’s Swimarathon, making it four years in a row.

By adding one more lap to their record breaking amount from last year, the team swam 98 laps of the Les Quennevais pool last month during their 55 minute slot, one lap ahead of their nearest rivals.

Team Captain this year was the team’s sole female swimmer, Rhiannon Small, who said: "We’re really delighted to have won the RBC Challenge Cup, especially as this year we swam in memory of former team member Neil Hussey, who unexpectedly passed away just after last year’s Swimarathon. He was such an integral part of the team, had a wicked sense of humour and a really competitive streak in him so we felt we owed it to him to go all out to retain the trophy as a fitting salute to him.

"We swam in the States of Jersey’s Friday evening slot and we wore orange caps which had the logo ‘Red 1 says BOOM’ which was Neil’s nickname and catchphrase at work. Towards the end of our session, the organisers held a minute’s clapping in memory of Neil which was very moving and it definitely spurred us on.

"Then on the Saturday evening, Neil’s widow, Blanca had filled all eight lanes with family, friends and work colleagues of Neil’s and we swam then too. Everyone on the night wore orange -- his hair was auburn -- and there was a real party atmosphere. Blanca is an amazing woman."

Chris Blampied, Head of Banking at RBC Wealth Management added: "I was one of over 4,000 people who took part in this year’s Swimarathon so I know how much effort the Customs team used to power through the water and achieve that amazing lap result. I salute their dedication, which in the process added significantly to the amount raised for 10 local charities working in the area of mental health and brain-related illness. I am also delighted that they were able to achieve such a fitting dedication to their former swim team member and colleague."

Lions Club of Jersey President, Ian Barette, added: "We’re just amazed at the amount of laps the Customs & Immigration team have managed to swim this year; it seems they get better and better each year! With sponsors RBC Wealth Management celebrating their 10^th year of sponsoring the Swimarathon and matching the amount raised by the team this means the 10 main beneficiaries, , will receive significant sums of money which will make a real difference to their work and ultimately the people of Jersey."