Swimmer to cross Northumberland Strait for charity

A Nova Scotia man is preparing for a big swim for charity this week.

Christopher Dawson of Wellington hopes to swim from New Brunswick to Prince Edward Island at the end of the week. He has been planning the swim since January, originally as a personal goal.

"My great-grandfather was one of the original ice boat people, who used to cross between P.E.I. and Cape Tormentine, and I really wanted to dedicate this to him," said Dawson.

As his planning progressed, Dawson set his sights on the Homebridge Youth Society, a charity that provides housing for at-risk youth.

"This organization helps build their self-esteem, helps get them on their feet," said Dawson. "When they do leave at the age of 18, they will have a better foundation to work from."

Renee Stevens is a spokesperson for the Homebridge Youth Society. She says the charity is trying to raise $275,000 to upgrade one of its homes.

"This renovation project is about more than just knocking down walls and hammering nails," she said. "It's about supporting the young people who call it home, and providing the most therapeutic environment we can."

Christopher Dawson has already raised $4,400 toward the project. The 45-year-old estimates it will take him five hours to swim the 14 kilometres of the Northumberland Strait.