This in from Laura on behalf of Canine Partners. Ed
Determined Deborah swam for seven hours, 18 minutes and 47 seconds in an average temperature of 16.5C from Hill Head Sailing Club, Fareham, to Ryde, Isle of Wight, and back to Hill Head, on Sunday 6 September.
She followed Channel Swimming Association Rules and wore only a swimming costume, hat and goggles which offered no thermal protection or buoyancy while completing the feat, which she named Quantum of Solent 2 – Return of the Tide. This is an inaugural swim and she hopes it will be ratified by the British Long Distance Swimming Association as a first.
Doubling last year’s efforts
Last year Deborah completed a one-way 7.5 mile sea swim but in a bid to test herself further she doubled the distance by tumble turning at Ryde and swimming back to Hill Head again.
Deborah chose to support Canine Partners, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary year, as she has previously been a volunteer puppy parent for the Charity.
Deborah, 46, of Lee-on-the-Solent, said:
“I support Canine Partners because I see how it can change people’s lives for the better. I swim to help others, and when it gets painful, which it did, I think of people who are worse off than myself and it gives me the courage to go on knowing that what I am doing may go to help them in some way.
“I nearly gave up several times when the waves were so big I couldn’t see any land, only my safety boat.”
Charity relies on donations
Canine Partners, which receives no government funding and relies solely on donations, is dedicated to transforming the lives of people with physical disabilities by training dogs to help with everyday tasks they would otherwise find difficult, painful or impossible, including opening doors, undressing, pressing buttons, and fetching help in an emergency.
If you would like to support Deborah’s challenge and donate to Canine Partners and Cancer Research UK please visit raised over £1,000.
She added:
“Thank you to everyone who has supported me and donated to the three charities for which I am raising money.” For further information on how you can help Canine Partners by taking on a challenge, fundraising, volunteering and much more please contact 08456 580480 or visit our Website.
