THE mayor of Abergele, raised more than £2,000 for a St-Asaph based hospice close to his heart after braving a daring fundraiser.

Councillor Alan Hunter swam with sharks at the Blue Planet Aquarium in Ellesmere Port yesterday (March 20) to raise money for St Kentigern Hospice, a charity providing care and support for patients with any life-limiting condition, and their families.

Cllr Hunter came up with the idea following a visit to the aquarium with his granddaughters, who watched him swim with the sharks yesterday, and chose St Kentigern after the excellent care they provided his father-in-law with in his final weeks.

He swam for roughly 30 minutes, with approximately 1,500 fish. 

The tank holds four million litres of water, with species including Sand Tiger, Zebra, Bamboo, Guitar and Black Tip Reef sharks. 

He said: “It was a fantastic experience, and it was nice that friends and family came along to have a look. There was no nervousness whatsoever!

“I’m an advanced scuba diver anyway, but it was absolutely exhilarating. To be that close to these beautiful animals was awesome. They say you’re in for half an hour, but I think it was a little bit longer than that!

“It felt like loads (of sharks)! At one point, one went overhead and I could’ve reached up from my knees and ran my finger along the bottom of it, it was that close.”

Rhyl Journal: Cllr Hunter with one of his granddaughters, three-year-old Orla - "She said she wants to come with me next time!"Cllr Hunter with one of his granddaughters, three-year-old Orla - "She said she wants to come with me next time!"

People will be able to make donations to Cllr Hunter’s JustGiving page until April 4, and can also call into Abergele Town Hall and make cash or cheque donations there.

Cllr Hunter added that, as much as he enjoyed the experience of swimming with sharks, the most important aspect of the day was raising a great amount of money for a cause he feels a close attachment to.

He added: “The main thing was the fundraiser – I had the experience of doing it, but it’s been done to raise much-needed funds for St Kentigern.

“My father-in-law passed away there, and their care for him was absolutely fantastic; you couldn’t fault them. They’re a superb team of people, so that’s my mayor’s charity for this mayoral year.

“All of the funds go to St Kentigern; the fee for the shark dive isn’t being taken out (of the donations) - that’s been paid for separately.

“I’ve got other money to come in because not everyone can do it online. We’re over £2,000, and probably nearer £2,200 at the moment.

“I’d like to thank everyone for their donations; it’s been a fantastic response to what we’re trying to do to help the hospice.”

Cllr Hunter, who has held his current position of mayor since October 2020, joined Abergele Town Council in June 2015.

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Michaella Brannan, St Kentigern’s community and event fundraiser, added her thanks to Cllr Hunter for raising money for the hospice with a “wonderful challenge”.

She said: “Thank you to Alan and all those who have been involved with his fundraising; the money raised through this wonderful challenge will make a huge difference to local hospice care.

“This year, we’re really focused on making full use of our beautiful building, and continuing to develop the hospice for our community’s future needs.

“Without the backing of the local communities such as Abergele Town Council, the work the hospice undertakes would simply not be possible.”

To donate, visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/cllrhunterswimwithsharks.

For more on St Kentigern, go to: www.stkentigernhospice.org.uk.