20th August 2009
A Cambridge swimmer has endured physical pain and exhaustion to swim across England’s largest lake and raise more than £2,000 For East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH).
Ed Williams, 22, of Verulam Way, Cambridge, who owns and runs The Cambridge Swimming Academy, swam across Lake Windermere on Friday August 14, completing the 12 mile journey in eight hours and 11 minutes.
Bad weather, pain, physical exhaustion and even hypothermia couldn’t deter Ed from completing his challenge, as he was determined to finish his Windermere journey and raise funds for EACH.
Ed said: "The first two hours were easy, but after that short period of time I felt the familiar dull aches starting to show in my neck and shoulders.
"The weather forecast that morning pointed out that you should be anywhere else other than Cumbria for that day and that was certainly true because soon the rain was so hard it was hurting my arms above the water.
"When you reach those unimaginable pain barriers, it is so important to remember why you are doing it, think of the rewards and the achievement and carry on.
"I am so glad that I persevered. I swam across Windermere and raised a lot of money for a very worthy cause in the process."
East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) provides care and support for life-threatened children and their families in their own homes, as well as at the charity’s hospices based at Ipswich, Quidenham and Milton in Cambridge.
Mark Fox, EACH community fundraising co-ordinator, said: "When all Ed wanted to do was stop through his pain and hypothermia he pushed on, fought against the obstacles before him and with sheer determination, made it to the other side.
"Throughout EACH we are amazed by what Ed accomplished and can’t thank him enough for raising money to enable us to provide care and support for children with life threatening conditions, and their families."
Ed will be continuing his fundraising efforts for EACH, and will be taking part in the Cambridge Dragon Boat Festival on September 12, where teams battle it out in 30-foot long boats to be crowned champions of the River Cam - all in aid of EACH.
Click here for more details about the Dragon Boat Festival, or contact Sally or Liz in the corporate fundraising team, tel: 01223 205194.
