Escaped from Alcatraz! Swim Raises $5000 for Georgian Mental Health
On June 4, Georgia-based Brit, Robin Forestier-Walker, who has been reporting for Al Jazeera English from Europe and Central Asia since 2008, successfully swam the 2km stretch of water from the Californian Alcatraz prison to the mainland in order to raise money towards improving mental health services, in particular for people suffering from mental disorders such as schizophrenia, in Georgia.
"I’m asking people to consider making a donation via the generosity.com website,” Robin said before the swim. “So far, we’ve raised about $5000. There are some good charities [in Georgia] working in mental health and a little can go a long way."
Robin was inspired to make the swim by the tragic suicide of his cousin’s son, Jack Rohman, who was suffering from schizophrenia. “His father Keith found solace in swimming and he and I discovered a mutual love of open-water distance swimming,” Robin told GEORGIA TODAY. “When Keith proposed Alcatraz, I said let’s do it for charity. Keith has since raised almost $20,000 for mental health in the US, which is a fabulous result”.
We spoke to Robin the day after his massive feat, which saw him braving 2km of icy water with 800 other swimmers.
“I walked with more than 800 swimmers towards two passenger ferries which took everyone out to the starting position. It was a very friendly atmosphere and everyone was chatting and making new friends. We stopped 100m off the island from where the prison complex could clearly be seen, then it was time for everyone to jump overboard, lemming fashion, into the Bay water,” Robin told us. “Fortunately, swimming Tbilisi Sea in April had prepared me for the chilly Bay waters and the conditions could not have been more perfect, with beautiful sunny skies and calm waters, and a wonderful view of the Golden Gate Bridge. Canoeists and small boats surrounded the swimmers like a flotilla. Then they blew the starting horn and we were off. Obviously, with 800 swimmers in the water, you can imagine that it was quite busy, and there were more than a few flailing arms and legs to avoid, but once I got into my rhythm, I just kept my head down and aimed for the sighting boat, emerging on the shore about 40 minutes later”.
Both Robin and Keith found the experience emotional. “Keith and I are very happy to have completed this iconic swim and are still dreaming about the experience. It was also emotional for Keith who put a laminated photograph of Jack under his wetsuit against his chest”.
Robin is now taking some time out before returning to Tbilisi in July where he has already lined up some meetings to help allocate the funds. “I've now raised over $5000 and I'm delighted with this result, though the fundraiser remains open”.
Robin has yet to allocate the money, “but GCRT and Maclean have been helping,” he says. “One option is to try to pilot a new scheme such as a helpline or messaging service targeting young people, or some form of online resource with information to help them understand what’s happening and where they can go for help. Another option is to fund an awareness-raising project. It may also be that we donate the money to an initiative that is already up and running.”
Robin’s future plans? He and Keith are already thinking about where their next swim will be!
To donate, click here.
Katie Ruth Davies