Braving strong currents, powerful tides and numbingly cold water, CFSI Board of Trustees member Peter Gibson and sons William and Nicholas took the plunge in an “Escape from Alcatraz” fundraising swim across San Francisco Bay in the US on October 14.

Against the backdrop of the picturesque Golden Gate Bridge, the hardy swimmers – who, in the purist spirit of open-water swimming, opted not to wear wetsuits – completed the 2.5km swim from Alcatraz, the infamous former island prison, to San Francisco in chilly 12°C seas in order to raise funds for, and awareness about, CFSI.

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It’s not the first time the trio have taken to the water in support of CFSI; in August 2011, they undertook a “Swim from Europe to Asia” challenge, crossing the Dardanelles Strait.

“It’s another iconic swim,” Mr Gibson said. “And again, we want to take the opportunity to receive sponsorship and support for CFSI, a Philippines NGO I am closely involved with and strongly support.”

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