Marchioness Anniversary Friday 20th Survivor Swims The Thames Again

LONDON, August 18, 2010 - Philip Robinson, a survivor of the Marchioness Disaster bravely swam The
Thames again this week in honour of his dear friend Antonio Vasconcellos and
those who died and survived the night of 20th August 1989.

The massive dredger, the Bowbelle, rammed into the much smaller vessel,
the Marchioness, with the loss of 51 lives on the River Thames. It was
Antonio's 26th birthday party - his life was cut tragically short.

Swimming saved Philip's life that night. He was underwater for a long
time and dislocated his shoulder, his breath control enabled him to survive.
Therefore swimming is a fitting way to launch The Antonio Vasconcellos Fund
to help those suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

He had to get out of the boat to get a chance to survive and swim in the
disorientating blackness and strong current of the Thames. Glass had cut his
head from the broken windows and the falling tables and chairs dislocated his
shoulder. Adrenalin numbed pain enabling him to swim to shore where he was
helped by Antonio's surviving brother, Diogo.

After 21 years Philip was prepared to step into the same river which
killed many of his friends. After months of training he put a wetsuit on,
said a prayer and started the two day swim safely upstream away from the busy
river traffic in Oxfordshire. His concerned back-up team worried about
Philip's immersion but it proved to be cathartic.

He has had the support from friends and colleagues in this challenge
including Alex Fontaine MBE, a fellow recovering sufferer of Post Traumatic
Stress Disorder.

'I am one of the lucky ones in that I have been able to come to terms
with the effects of PTSD. Someone who was also able to do this is Alex
Fontaine MBE who also wanted to 'put something back' into the community in
recognition of the care and support she had received. She achieved this by
founding The Yellow Heart Trust to help others who have experienced trauma.
Alex's inspiration and friendship has been instrumental in my decision to
establish the Antonio Vasconcellos Fund.'

The first 3km were set in the beautiful countryside near Kelmscott with
sun blazing, a break for lunch and then the weather turned, a profound change
like the night of the tragedy when the happiness and celebrations turned to
one of Britain's worst disasters.

Notes to Editors:

The Yellow Heart Trust

Registered Charity No: 1093454
A company limited by guarantee. Company No: 4418183 Registered in England and
Wales. Registered Office: Palladium House, 1-4 Argyll Street, London, W1F 7LD

www.yellowheart.org.uk

Patron - Dr Mark Collins - The Priory Hospital Roehampton

Mark is a Consultant Psychiatrist, practising at The Priory Hospital,
Roehampton and specialises in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, depression and
addiction. He graduated from Oxford University and qualified in Medicine in
1976. He stayed in hospital medicine, including three years training in
neurology at New York University Medical Centre, before deciding to switch to
psychiatry. His psychiatric training was at St. George's Hospital, London,
where he was appointed as a consultant in 1990.

Alex Fontaine MBE is the founder of the Yellow Heart Trust. She is an
enthusiastic entrepreneur who also founded Personal Time Saver Ltd, London's
award winning lifestyle management and concierge service.

The Antonio Vasconcellos Fund

A fund is to be established in memory of this remarkable man who balanced
a career as a successful fund manager with the roles of entrepreneur, writer,
musician and philanthropist. As so many of those who survived the sinking of
the Marchioness benefitted from PTSD therapy the fund's aim will be to
provide help for those coming to terms with unresolved issues resulting from
trauma. I am hopeful that this will provide a fitting legacy for those, both
dead and alive, survivors and relatives of lost ones, who were affected by
this tragedy.

Goal: GBP150,000

It is envisaged that The Antonio Vasconcellos fund will be established in
late 2010/early 2011 within the Yellow Heart Trust organisation and
administered by it.

The official launch of the fund will be marked with a performance on
Saturday October 16th 2010 by the Purcell Singers of J.S Bach's St.John's
Passion at St.John's Smith Square, London. Music from this most inspirational
of masses was performed at Antonio's memorial service. We are hopeful that
this will be a rewarding occasion in many ways.

Note to Editors:

Pictures accompanying this release are available through the PA
Photowire. It can be downloaded from www.pa-mediapoint.press.net or
viewed at www.mediapoint.press.net or www.prnewswire.co.uk.

Contacts:

Philip Robinson, +44(0)7967-723236, Email : harradine8@yahoo.co.uk

Alexandra Fontaine, MBE +44(0)780-1240217, Email :
alex.fontaine@virgin.net

Contacts: Philip Robinson, +44(0)7967-723236, Email : harradine8 at yahoo.co.uk; Alexandra Fontaine, MBE +44(0)780-1240217, Email : alex.fontaine at virgin.net