GSA Hon Sec, Jo Hallett, writes:

“This sounds exciting,” said Rob, my sporty son-in-law, “it’s a 4 km open water relay in the Blenheim Palace Lake – you up for it, Grandma Jo?”  “Why not?” I replied, without really thinking. // A few months later, I found myself squeezing into a cut-down beach wetsuit in a marquee near the lake which looked brown and cold, despite the sunshine – it turned out to be both! // We had 2 teams:  the Earlsdon Eels and the Hearsall Haddocks, with four people in each.  The route ran out from the edge of the lake and back, around a series of buoys.  That was 250 metres, so we swam round 4 times in turn, a total of 1 km each.

Walking down the ramp into the dark, chilly water, timing chip safely secured round the ankle, was just the first challenge!  Once in the lake, it’s “every man for himself”, no allowances for grandmas like me.  It’s a competitive race, with elbows flying, legs kicking, bodies whizzing past, even over the top!  You have to keep your nerve.  Rob had indeed warned me that such events are “a bit physical”!  //  Because we went in and out of the water 4 times, it was pretty cold, but drinks, snacks and space blankets were provided.  It was all very exhilerating and jolly, and the sun shone!  Finishing, I felt a great sense of achievement:  I had made it!  But what’s more, I was swimming for GSA and Let’s Read.  Sponsorship money from my generous friends and family came to over £500!  In the end, our teams did OK,  We were not the first, but we weren’t the last either.  The fastest of us swam 1 km in 20 minutes and I took 32 minutes.  But I did find out later that I was the oldest competitor in the Open Water event.  Not bad for 69!!”

Colin is wonderfully active in raising funds for Ghana School Aid.  He has a page on JustGiving, on which he writes:”A couple of years ago I ran my first 10k to raise money for Ghana School Aid in memory of my Dad who was a district education officer in Ghana in the 1950s.  People were incredibly generous and I raised over £900. // At New Year this year a friend challenged me to race him in the Edinburgh Half Marathon this year.  As I’d had a few drinks this seemed like a great idea, although I am older, slower and less fit than I was when I did the 10k.. // When I sobered up I t hought I should make the best of this and try to make the training worth while by raising some money for GSA.  They are a small charity so your donations can make a real difference.  Over the next 5 months I’ll be posting updates and photos of how I am getting on JustGiving and on Facebook. // Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. […] Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer, so it’s the most efficient way to donate […]”.

We at GSA wish Colin all the very best with his training and his run.  We are seriously short of funds at the moment, so please, everyone, do your very best to help us by supporting Colin’s wonderful efforts!  Thanks so much.