John and Raman take tea with sharks for STV Appeal
Published by Anne Marie Hughes on Thu 16 Aug 12 @ 15:09
STV news anchor John MacKay and sports presenter Raman Bhardwaj have hosted the world's scariest tea party in aid of the STV Appeal 2012.
John and Raman proved it is possible to hold a tea party anywhere as they braved the water to share a brew with seven Sand Tiger sharks at Deep Sea World, including Tinkerbell, the largest shark at over 12 feet long and weighing 30 stone.
The STV Appeal 2012 is encouraging people to put the kettle on to raise money for children and young people affected by poverty in Scotland.
John MacKay said: "I am of the Jaws generation, so I'm scared stiff of sharks and I swim like a brick. I was not looking forward to the shark dive and was hoping that I looked thinner than Raman, so the sharks thought he was more appetizing but I'm glad I did it to raise money for this fantastic cause."
Raman Bhardwaj said: ''John is a decent size so I thought I'd be safe hiding behind him, only to realise sharks were coming at us left, right and centre. Just when they disappeared, up popped the stingrays. It was a unique challenge for us, which we were happy to face on behalf of this important cause. Hopefully it will encourage everyone to show their support for us and for the STV Appeal.''
Aisling Thornton, sales & marketing executive at Deep Sea World, said: "The STV Appeal is a brilliant charity which does amazing work for Scotland's most deserving youngsters and everyone here at Deep Sea World is really pleased to be involved with such a great cause. Getting up close and personal with three-metre-long sharks really is an awesome experience and hopefully it will inspire John and Raman's supporters to donate to the appeal."
Deep Sea World boasts the largest underwater walkthrough tunnel in the UK. Its main display holds 4.5 million litres of seawater and is home to one of Europe's largest collections of sharks, as well as thousands of other marine creatures including rays and crabs.
Stars of the display are the giant, three-metre-long Sand Tiger sharks including Tinkerbell, Hook, Scout and Patch as well as Stella the huge stingray.
The STV Appeal was launched in 2011 by The Hunter Foundation and STV, and in its inaugural year raised almost £1.3m. The STV Appeal spends 100% of the money raised on the kids who most need it. Every single penny raised stays in Scotland.
To find out more information on the STV Appeal 2012, sponsor John and Raman via their Just Giving pages, or download a Tea Party pack, visit www.stv.tv/appeal
