Friends take on the Channel Swim in local pool
Two friends from Exeter, Suzanne Lovelace and Sadie Evans, landlady at The Royal Oak, St Thomas, are taking on the ‘Channel Challenge’ throughout February to raise money for local charity, Hospiscare.
The English Channel stretches 21 miles between Dover and Calais and the friends will be swimming the equivalent distance at local pool The Riverside, covering 1,408 lengths each.
Suzanne and Sadie, who met whilst swimming at The Riverside, struck up a friendship and when Suzanne asked Sadie if she wanted to join her challenge, she couldn’t say no.
Suzanne decided she needed a physical challenge in her seventieth year, and Sadie is swimming as part of her recovery from breast cancer, to strengthen the arm and muscles which were affected by the surgery. Both will start their swim in early February and aim to complete the 1,408 lengths over three weeks, fitting in their swims around their busy daily life schedules.
Suzanne: “I used to be a heavy drinker and didn’t enjoy exercise. This changed when I got myself a mountain bike and started cycling, I now own a road bike and will go out for 20 miles at a time, I also walk regularly and love swimming.
“I wanted to support Hospiscare because my son has previously fundraised for them and I know what great support they provide to patients across Exeter, mid and east Devon. I felt that it was my turn to raise some money for a good cause. I will be swimming 100 lengths a day, five days a week for two weeks and in my final week I’ll complete the remaining 408.”
Hospiscare Events Fundraiser Celia Wilkinson said: “This is the first time that two swimmers will have completed this type of challenge for Hospiscare and we wish them both the best of luck.
“The dedication in getting to the pool day after day and completing 100 lengths is fantastic and we’re looking forward to tracking their progress and supporting their brilliant challenge.”
To make a donation to Suzanne and Sadie’s swim challenge – visit http://www.justgiving.com/suzanne-Lovelace1 or visit The Royal Oak, St Thomas and donate there. If this has inspired you to take up a challenge in 2014 but you’re not sure where to start or what you could do, please contact Celia at Hospiscare on 01392 688052 or c.wilkinson@hospiscare.co.uk
