I’m Andrew, and I love a good challenge, the kind that makes people ask, "Why would anyone do that?"

I’ve  run half marathons, completed triathlons, swam 1.5km across Halifax Harbour 5 different times for charity, and swam 4km from the Statue of Liberty to Manhattan for fun. The biggest challenge was in July 2023 when I swam from New Brunswick to PEI along the Confederation Bridge, it was supposed to be 14km but the real distance ended up being almost 19km once the strong Northumberland Strait currents took hold. And in July 2024 I made a second attempt hoping to get across faster but the weather did not allow a safe crossing and the attempt had to be abandoned, the organizers had a back-up route along the NB coast but even this route had to be evacuated as the weather took a turn. On July 27th I will be making my 3rd attempt across hoping to defeat my 2023 time.

This challenge, organized by Givetolive, raises funds for Brigadoon Village, a summer camp for children and families facing health challenges in Atlantic Canada. The cost for camp is about $1,700 per child but Brigadoon Village operates on a pay-what-you can model so children of all income levels get to attend with the average family able to pay only $300 and the remainder of the funds come from donations. This cause is personal as my cousin-in-law, Thomas Nickerson, attended Brigadoon regularly. Tragically, he passed away in 2022 at 17 years old along with his mother and baby sister. Thomas was kind, passionate, and dreamed of becoming a chef. I’m swimming in his memory, a way to give back to an organization that gives opportunities to so many kids like Thomas to have a summer experience regardless of their family income or health condition.

Over the last two years we have fundraised over $250,000, please help us continue this support!