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Lisa Hodge • Published 19 Aug 2010 14:00
CHARITY swimmers have made a splash after raising more than £13,500 for worthy causes.
Twenty-five super-fit fundraisers braved the chilly waters to take part in the annual Clyde Swim.
The event, which is organised by Gourock Amateur Swimming Club, saw volunteers set off by kayak to Kilcreggan before swimming more than two miles back to Greenock.
People of all ages took part in the event, with the youngest swimmer, Andrew Ward, above left, being just 13, while the oldest entrant was a pensioner.
Andrew was awarded the Tommy Wilson Memorial Trophy for being the first competitor from Gourock Amateur Swimming Club to reach the finish line.
Claire McNamee, above right, took just over 40 minutes to complete the challenge, making her the first swimmer into the Royal West of Scotland Amateur Boat Club for the second year running.
Inverclyde Leisure general manager David McCorkindale, right, with son Nathan, also took part and came in third for the fourth year in a row. John Hanna, from Gourock Amateur Swimming Club, has spearheaded the event since 2003, and said this year was a huge success.
He added: “We always have around 20 people who do the swim and this year we had 25 people signed up, which is fantastic.
“We have yet to count the final total of money raised, but there’s more than £13,500 pledged, which is incredible.”
The swimmers, who had been training for months for last Saturday’s event, took between 40 and 90 minutes to complete the challenge, depending on their individual fitness levels.
After towelling down, they took to the boat club for some well-earned refreshments and a barbecue to celebrate their achievements.
John says the event has become a popular part of the Inverclyde calendar.
He added: “In the early days of the swim, when we first started this off, it was something quite unique and gained a lot of interest.
“It’s still the same, but now it has just become part of the annual routine for some people, which is great.”
This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 19 Aug 10
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