Jamie Mitchell, the 8 x Molokai to Oahu Paddleboard Race Winner, and fellow elite paddler Jackson English have joined forces to raise money for SurfAid International in this year’s gruelling 32-mile (51.5 km) Hawaiian race on 25 July.
English, 35, who is SurfAid’s biggest individual fundraiser, finished runner-up to Mitchell in the 2008 event across the Ka’iwi Channel, which is one of the most challenging stretches of water in the world.
Mitchell, 33, from Currumbin, Queensland, Australia, holds the race record of four hours, 48 minutes and 23 seconds, which he set in 2007. He said he was honoured to work with SurfAid to help raise funds during its 10th anniversary year.
“SurfAid is a frontline organization whose efforts have a direct and real effect on the lives of those people who don’t have access to the health care, education and support that we sometimes take for granted,” Jamie said.
“I encourage you to give what you can to this great cause and join Jackson and myself as we work towards our goal of raising $10,000 as we cross the channel this July.”
English is a schoolteacher at the United World College of SE Asia in Singapore but is originally from the Central Coast of NSW, Australia. In the past five years he has raised more than $200,000 for SurfAid.
“With three healthy young children of my own, it breaks my heart to see kids the same age as mine suffering from very preventable diseases such as chest infections, diarrhoea, malnutrition and malaria,” Jackson said.
“To go through a few hours of pain and suffering while crossing the channel is the least I can do to help. Please support Jamie and myself as we try to raise $10,000 for the 10-year anniversary of SurfAid.”
SurfAid founder Dr Dave Jenkins said he was stoked that both Jamie and Jackson were prepared to do the hard yards for SurfAid.
“Jamie is an extraordinary athlete and, besides the much-needed funds, his profile will help to spread the message of our community development work. And Jackson is one of the archetypal unsung heroes of SurfAid who has sacrificed months of precious spare time to raise huge amounts of money for us,” Dr Dave said.
You can donate to Jamie and Jackson’s efforts here (PUT LINK). In the “Additional Information” section please write either Molokai, Jamie or Jackson so we can track your donation. Thank you for your support.
About SurfAid International
SurfAid International’s mission is to improve the health, wellbeing and self-reliance of people living in the Mentawai and Nias islands, off Sumatra, Indonesia, where it runs water and sanitation, disaster preparedness and relief, and community health programs.
SurfAid is celebrating 10 years of humanitarian work in 2010. www.surfaidinternational.org
For further information, please contact:
Kirk Willcox
SurfAid International Communications Director
W: + 61 2 9965 7325
M: + 61 407 063 829
E: kirk@surfaidinternational.org
Jamie Mitchell’s management:
Justin Skinner
Australia Sports and Athlete Management
W: + 61 7 5667 7114
M: + 61 404 817 452
E: justin@aussam.com
