Damon takes the plunge with sharks (From Western Telegraph)

Damon takes the plunge with sharks

Swimming with sharks is not something with which you normally associate your teacher. But that's exactly what Damon McGarvie is planning to do next half term. And he is wondering what the reaction of his pupils at Pennar Junior School, Pembroke Dock, will be.

Damon, aged 29, of Marble Hall Road, Milford Haven, is to descend into a shark-infested tank and swim with some of the oceans most feared predators - all in the name of charity.

He will raise money for the Anthony Nolan Trust when he makes his dive on October 29th at the Blue Planet Aquarium, in Ellesmere Port.

In 2002, the trust provided 495 bone marrow transplants for people dying as a result of diseases like leukaemia. At any one time there are over 7,000 patients in search of a suitable match, with around 3,000 new searches requested each year.

Damon, who is married with a four-year-old son Connor, will have a short lesson and make the dive into the tank with a qualified instructor. He will come face to face with sand tigers, lemon sharks, nurse sharks and shoals of jacks, grunts and snappers.

"A colleague bought in some leaflets about fundraising events and I decided to tackle this one. I'm really looking forward to it. My pupils don't know yet and I'm not sure what their reaction will be."

If you would like to join Damon and 'swim with the sharks' call 01865 875757 or e-mail your address to wales@anthonynolan.org.uk quoting swimming and sharks.