Connor Childs achieved his dream of swimming from Cayman Brac to Little Cayman, raising vital funds for land conservation.
The 22-year-old environmental campaigner took on the impressive challenge on 14 August in aid of the National Trust for the Cayman Islands’ Land Reserve Fund.
He was joined for the final part of the swim by the person who inspired him to do it in the first place, Montessori by the Sea teacher, Andrea Roach.
Roach has swum the five-mile distance herself a number of times and after learning of her feat when he was a child, Childs vowed to do it himself one day.
Speaking afterwards, he told Cayman Independent: “Completing this swim was one of the hardest things I’ve done.
“While there were times when I wanted to quit, I persevered because our natural environment is constantly at stake and the support I received through this journey carried me onto that beach.”
He hopes the money will help protect the Cayman environment amid what he feels is unsustainable development across the islands.
Frank Roulstone, executive director of the National Trust for the Cayman Islands, praised Childs’ accomplishment, noting that he “sets an inspiring example for others on how to raise awareness about important issues and take action toward solving them”.
“The trust deeply appreciates his generous fundraising efforts and his dedication to promoting the importance of preserving our natural heritage across all three islands,” he added.
Earlier this month, Childs, who is an intern for the Department of Environment’s Marine Research Unit, was announced as a global ambassador for renewable energy charity Blue Planet Alliance.
He will represent the Cayman Islands in a global network of young leaders pushing for island nations to transition to 100% renewable energy by 2045.
In June, he attended the United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France with Sustainable Cayman.
Along with another Sustainable Cayman youth ambassador alumni, he participated in global dialogues centred on ocean conservation, climate justice, and the importance of frontline communities’ inclusion in decision-making.
The National Trust for the Cayman Islands continues to accept donations to the Land Reserve Fund in support of Child’s swim.
Donations can be made here.
