Swimmers go to great lengths for disabled care charity

A GROUP of swimmers raised £3,900 for a charity by swimming thousands of lengths of a pool.

Twenty-two members of Swim to Live, an open water swimming group, took part in the challenge at the Henley leisure centre pool, completing 10,000m each. Seventeen of them completed 400 lengths.

Supporters on the side counted the lengths and provided the swimmers with energy drinks and sports gels. The fastest lane did it in 2.50.40.

At the finish, the participants celebrated with doughnuts.

The event was in aid of the Chiltern Centre, off Greys Road, which supports young adults with disabilities.

Organiser Mike Whitworth, 66, of St Andrew’s Road, Henley, said: “We had a record number of finishers and were delighted to make a significant contribution to the Chiltern Centre.

“We know that no matter the size of donation, a small charity relies on every pound raised to continue to offer their quality of care.

“Like many events, it’s the preparation and getting everyone motivated that’s the fun part and the swim takes care of itself.

“A big thank-you once again to the Henley leisure centre team that allows us to take over the pool for three hours. For the last eight years, they have been kind enough to give us exclusive use of the pool, an invaluable asset in making sure this is an ongoing event in our calendar.”

The youngest swimmer, 12-year-old Frances Sadler, said she found the challenge difficult but with help from supporters on the side managed to swim past her initial target.

She said: “After watching and supporting the event last year and loving the environment, I really wanted to swim myself this year.

“It was hard at the start but I really wanted to finish so I kept going and found I got stronger as it went on. Everyone did such a great job and were so lovely and supportive of me.

“I think the training I do at Maidenhead Marlins had a huge impact on my ability to complete it. I will do it again next year and hopefully will be able to get some of my friends to join too. The doughnut at the end was worth it.”

The oldest swimmer was 72-year-old Nigel Downing, from Peppard Common.

He said: “I swam from Henley to Windsor one year, so am no stranger to longer distance swims but I did not take the challenge lightly.

“It is a tough one, especially mentally. There is always the thought: ‘Can I get through it again this year?’. The inspiration comes from Mike and the other swimmers and the cause drives you on.”

The other swimmers were Ryan O’Sullivan, Julian Sansum, Paul Johnson, Tom Scholefield, Natasha Harris-White, Sophie Whitworth, Pete Lowe, JP Watts, Gill Cooper, James Waites, John Drummond, Andy Irving, Vicky Mynott, Paul Millward, Matt McQuillan, Catherine Drummond, Tom Kean, Mick Woodhouse and Eric Butcher.

The Chiltern Centre is a short- break centre providing overnight and weekend care for young people with physical disabilities and/or learning difficulties.

It relies on donations and fundraising events to support about 30 families from Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Hampshire.

Fundraising manager Jane Ainslie said: “The Chiltern Centre is very grateful to the Swim to Live group for continuing to support us. It really makes a difference to the young adults we work with and families we offer respite to.”