Trafford Park executive aims to raise £2,000 for Lifeshare with Lake District swim

The boss of a financial planning firm is swimming the 5.25-mile length of Coniston Water this weekend to raise money for Manchester’s oldest homeless charity.

Andrew Day, 54, founder of Trafford Park-based Depledge Strategic Wealth Management, is taking on the Chillswim Coniston End to End Swim on Saturday, June 20, to support Lifeshare, which has helped vulnerable people in Manchester and Salford since 1984.

The father-of-two and keen swimmer is aiming to finish the challenge in under three hours, and is close to his £2,000 fundraising target.

“The primary goal is to raise money to support the life-changing work of Lifeshare,” said Andrew.

“One of my clients, who I’ve known since 2007, volunteers for Lifeshare, helping deliver hot meals to people who have fallen on hard times, and asked if I would help.

“I know people can lose their home quickly through a failed business, a broken relationship, or a series of setbacks.

“Shelter research shows 354,000 people in England, including 161,500 children, are without a home, a rise of 14 per cent in a year.

“If I feel exhausted in the cold water, I will remember how grim things can be without a home. If this swim helps just one person, it will have been worth it.”

More than 350 people helped each week

Kim Law, a Lifeshare volunteer of 13 years, said the charity’s work could only continue thanks to fundraisers like Andrew.

“Our numbers have never been higher. Every weekend we welcome more than 350 people living on the streets or at risk of homelessness,” she said.

“We offer hot food, friendship and a safe place to escape the dangers of street life.

“We are grateful to Andrew and everyone who takes on challenges for us, and wish him the best of luck.”

Depledge Strategic Wealth Management, founded by Andrew in 2013, is certified by the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment, with assets under management growing from £130m in 2018 to more than £300m this year.