‘I was ready to turn back less than 10 minutes in’: Golspie swimmer keeps going to beat Solent challenge
A Golspie resident has raised more than £1000 for a cancer charity after completing a swimming challenge.
Nikki Harrison took part in the Swim for Hope 2024 - a 1.3 mile swim across the Solent, starting at Hurst Point in Hampshire and finishing at Colwell Bay on the Isle of Wight.
The event took place on Sunday, June 30, and is a fundraiser for Wessex Cancer Support, a charity that relies on donations to provide free and local support to anyone affected by cancer.
Nikki, who was accompanied south by her husband Ian, was swimming in memory of her step-father John Tiltman, who lived in France and died from cancer in January.
She said: “My step dad was treated and died in France, but if he had he been in the UK, he would have benefited from the Wessex Cancer Support.
“I am from there and have strong ties to the island so it seemed quite apt to do the event. Swimming in Colwell Bay was very special as my grandparents had a tearoom there and I spent many happy hours on the beach as a teenager.”
Immediately after the start of the race, Nikki wondered whether she would be able to finish but she soon found her strength.
She said afterwards: “I won’t lie, less than 10 minutes in I was ready to turn back. It was choppy and hard work, I couldn’t get my breath and got a bit scared, but with the fab support from kayaker George and a bit of a word with myself, I got a grip, remembered how to swim and enjoyed it.
“A massive thanks to all of you who sponsored me.”
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