Women swim length of channel for cancer charity

swim

A group of 25 ladies are swimming the length of the channel in their local pools to help raise money for The Christie.

Each one has their own personal reasons for taking on the challenge of swimming 25.5 miles over 12 weeks.

One lady had suffered multiple miscarriages, one is recovering from open heart surgery, one recently had a baby, another lady has lost 90lb, a bride to be has lost 38lb and another is a publicity shy ex Paralympic swimmer!

They have come together to motivate and support each other through this challenge and raise money for The Christie because a good friend of the organiser has just finished her treatment for breast cancer and they wanted a way to thank The Christie for the wonderful treatment they provided.

Katie Smith, a 43-year-old mummy to two children aged 5 and 3 was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer 12 months ago. Her good friend Claire Holliday, 38, from Styal is the link between the ladies and has invited people who she thought might be up for the challenge or needed to exercise for their health.

Claire is joined by Suzanne Jones, Vicky Foster, Meryl Williams, Zoe Hesford and Clare Power who are all from Wilmslow, as well as Anna Dagnall from Bollington, Kerry Murphy from Gatley, Sally Greenhalgh from Prestwich, Joanne Beagley from Harrogate and Kelly Taggart from Nottingham.

Katie Smith explained "This time last year my life was pretty damn good!... I had successfully started my own buying consultancy, part time to fit around my young family, my first child had just started school and we were just about to move house after 2 years of waiting! This harmony literally changed one Saturday night last November when I found a lump in my left breast and my world came toppling down.

"A week later a mammogram confirmed a 7 cm pre-cancerous tumour and then 2 weeks later a full mastectomy revealed a 4.5 cm cancerous tumour with the remainder being pre-cancerous. The agonising 2 week wait for the results over last Christmas revealed Stage 3 breast cancer that had spread to my lymph nodes which where then removed just after Christmas and I subsequently had 18 weeks of chemotherapy and 3 weeks of radiotherapy.

"Yes, it has been a horrific experience, but something so terrible has unleashed such an incredible amount of kindness, love and support from family, friends and medical staff.

"School mums whom I'd known literally weeks turned up at the doorstep with meals for us during my chemo, local friends ensured childcare was covered and my siblings travelled up every 3 weeks form London to help, taking holidays from work even though they have families of their own.

"My oldest school friends consistently organised girly weekends timed around my chemo, incredibly somehow making shaving off my hair a fun event, my elderly parents unable to physically help, offered financial help for my wig and extra nursery fees. my mother in law dedicating her life for the last 11months to us and of course John my faithful partner holding it together with childcare and house continuity.

"The list goes on and it literally takes my breath away when I re-live the selfless generosity of love and support that these people have shown to me and without them I could not have made my journey.

"Just when you think people can do no more they still they continue to awe me with their support - as not only have we raised money together for The Christie during the summer via coffee mornings and my brother in law doing a Triathlon for the charity (raising £3000) - a posse of local mums, led my dear friend Clare Holliday, are swimming the channel for The Christie and holding a fund raising coffee and cake morning locally. These are busy people, with busy lives, who barely get time to themselves, yet they are taking time out to fundraise for something they really believe in - priceless!"

Claire Holliday said "All of us are doing so for our own reasons, whether they are physical or mental health and wellbeing, for the challenge. Most of the swimmers are not used to such physical exercise and it really has been a challenge!

"I love the way each of us have helped motivate and support each other through this challenge even if they hadn't met each other before! We are due to swim our last 10 lengths together at Total Fitness on 19th December and then go for much deserved cocktails!"

You can sponsor the ladies and donate to The Christie via their JustGiving page.

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The Christie
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