Rankin's dip to boost charity

Published on Monday 21 February 2011 11:57

Author Ian Rankin is preparing to dip into his pockets after offering to double the money made by supporters of a city charity in a sponsored swim.

The writer joked that he would rather dig deep than take to the pool himself, and so is lining up to write a hefty cheque for Garvald Edinburgh, which helps adults with learning difficulties.

The event, at Dalry Swim Centre, will see 22 of the charity's members, residents, staff and supporters take to water, hoping to raise 2000, with every pound matched by Rankin.

The author said: "I've had a long association with Garvald, I used to live near The Engine Shed, which is a cafe/restaurant/bakery that they run, so I got to know them through that.

"The street I live in now has a Garvald care home. They contacted me and said 'We're doing a swim, is there anything you could do to help us?' That was last year and we didn't really do publicity for it, but this year they asked if they could tell people about it."

The writer, who lives in Merchiston, said he would prefer to donate than take part in the swim himself. "I'd rather put my hand in my pocket than put on a pair of trunks," he said.

The event will take place on March 2, and Rankin, right, said even if he could not cheer from the poolside, he was pleased to be able to help.

"I don't know if I'll be able to get along, I'm in the middle of writing a book at the moment and I've got an American tour coming up, but I look forward to them raising as much as they can," he said.

In December 2009, the author helped raise 750 for Garvald by auctioning the chance to have a pie and a pint with him in the Oxford Bar, the pub made famous as the favourite haunt of his fictional detective, John Rebus.

Garvald fundraiser Grace Nichol said 800 had already been pledged in the latest fundraising drive. She added: "The Garvald Swimming Group goes on a Wednesday morning for exercise and keeping fit, and some of the swimmers from the group are going to be taking part in the sponsored swim. We've got some service users who don't normally go with the swimming group, but are really strong swimmers, so they'll be taking part too.

"It's brilliant to have Ian Rankin's support, it's really good publicity, he's a well-known local person and he's endorsing our fundraising efforts, so we're really happy about that.

"Hopefully it will encourage people to sponsor us knowing that every pound that they sponsor us will be doubled."

To sponsor the swimmers, visit https://garvaldcentre.workwithus.org/swim2011