VICAR’S CHANNEL SWIM

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 238, 28 December 1927, Page 7

VICAR’S CHANNEL SWIM

OFFER TO SPORTSMEN WANTS TO HELP CHURCH The Rev. Herbert Quarrio, vicar of St. Andrew’s, Jersey, in an effort to raise funds to complete his half-fin-ished church, has made the novel suggestion that he should attempt to swim the Channel for a monetary reward. He is a strong swimmer, and some years ago swam the nine miles from St. Helier to Corbiere. He says that for 40 years efforts have been made to build a church in the parish, but peculiar local circumstances have made it a task of exceptional Uirficulty. Half the church has been completed, with a bank overdraft of £2,009, and in order to clear that off and complete the church the vicar must raise another £B,OOO. He said recently: “Although 1 am 45 years old. 1 am strong and can stand the cold. I am hoping that my suggestion may appeal to sportsmen, and that by this means I may be able to raise something worth while. I can promise a great attempt at least. “I want no personal gain or publicity out of this, and any money that I might make would be handed over unreservedly to the church building fund.” The vicar is a well-built, athletic man, and is popular in the parish.