Help Rebuild Channel Queen (UK)

Hello, my name is Esther and I’m fundraising to support Chloë McCardel, following the devastating loss of her beautiful boat, the Channel Queen.

Not only is Chloë a world record holder, having swam the channel an incredible 44 times, but she recently turned her focus and determination to supporting others achieve their open water swimming dreams. Alongside this Chloë and Roy Beal have established an environmental program to educate primary school children on the importance of marine conservation.

You may be aware that Chloë’s boat struck an underwater object recently, and was beached on the Isle of Wight. Following dreadful weather conditions, the wreckage was broken into hundreds of pieces, scattered across the beach and sea bed.

Not only does this cause Chloë and Roy huge distress, regarding the environmental impact, but as it was Chloë’s home, she has lost nearly everything she owned. Also lost were the kit and equipment belonging to the crew and swimmers who were present on the day of the incident and educational materials used in their floating classroom.

Whilst Chloë was fully insured - including for salvage, the payout may take years and will not cover the immediate costs required to relieve the environmental impact, Chloë's immediate living expenses or to ensure her next vessel is ready for the start of the 2024 season. Many people have offered their financial support and therefore this Go Fund Me page aims to offer full transparency on the purchases that your kind donations will be used for:

(Also, any support in the form of manual labour completing boat works when the vessel is purchased is also much appreciated.

Fundraising activities to be announced soon!)

The total fundraising amount is split between the Australian and UK 'Go Fund Me' campaigns. £46,203 for the UK Campaign and the equivalent of £15,000 for the Australian Campaign.

£460

Fuel for volunteers and ferry costs to drive vessels over to the Isle of Wight to assist

with debris removal. Ferry costs are up to £170 return trip for a van large enough for

100kg+ debris removal. Plus coffee for two beach clean days for volunteers

£4,510

Replacement costs for some of the items which Chloë and Roy lost including laptops, clothes, tools, kayak gear, food, cooking essentials and other technology.

£1,733.10

So Chloë can pay for the replacement of lost items of the others on board on the

day of the incident (2x other crew and 11 swimmers).

£50,000

Purchase, upgrades and works to bring the next Channel Queen vessel up to the required commercial standards for 12 passengers and three crew and an education classroom for up to 15 on board too. This includes fuel and marina costs for the delivery of the vessel the crew will volunteer their time. This figure is approximate and the final costs may be higher.

£4,500

Funding for professional divers (including barge vessel hire) to attempt to remove items such as lead batteries, engines, fire extinguishers, steel, fridge, or anything still accessible in the immediate area of the wreck. This is to minimise environmental damage and is not likely to be of any financial

value.

NOTE: This will only start to be fundraised after all the other categories have reached their fundraising targets. All of these funds will need to be raised in full before November 15th. We have been advised by a diving expert that any professional salvage needs to occur before the winter storms as these will likely destroy and disperse nearly all remaining parts of the vessel. This fundraising category and amount will be deleted from November 16th, if not reached in full.