Rachel’s Latest Challenge
If you’ve had a dunk or two in the sea this year or perhaps visited your local pool during the heat waves, spare a thought for the World’s most reluctant swimmer, our Rachel. She’s going wet and wild for her latest challenge raising money for Cancer Research UK.
She’s well in training for this one – a two mile swim in the Serpentine in London’s Hyde Park. Now that might sound like a swim in the park, but, as a lifelong committed turtle style devotee, ie head firmly out of the water, this is going to be some challenge. Being out of her depth with 6,000 other swimmers is the stuff of nightmares for her.
The event itself is relatively new. Swim Serpentine began in 2016 as a legacy event from the 2012 London Olympic Games. The lake, in London’s Hyde Park, was host to both the triathlon and open water swimming events during the games. This year’s event takes place on Saturday September 20 with a choice of lengths of course to attract a wide variety of swimmers. It’s one of the three events that can contribute to the London Classics – Swim Serpentine, the London Marathon and RideLondon 100. Rachel has already completed those last two!!
Rachel picks up the story: “When I first started fund raising for CRUK, I soon discovered that if I attempted something I was terrified about, I raised more money. So two marathons, climbing Kilimanjaro, trekking up Machu Piccu, sky diving, cycling from London to Paris and even an ice bath challenge during lockdown later – I can honestly say I’ve put myself through multiple wringers over the years. Fear of heights, loathing of camping, not a great cyclist, and doing anything in crowds basically freaks me out. But I know that every mile , every drop of sweat and in this year’s case, every stroke in that cold lake will help raise money to help improve cures for this dreaded disease.“
To date her total stands at £152,909.00. So far her Serpentine pledge has raised more than £5,000, including such generous donations from our weekend skittlers. So if you want to join in with a donation, please visit
