Charity swimmer takes on 5k

By timesecholife on in All News, Uttoxeter news

A teenager from Uttoxeter has tackled a 5km swimming challenge, as part of a five-year fund-raising campaign. Evelyn Fletcher, aged 16, first combined swimming and fund-raising by taking part in Swimathon 2018, and has taken part each year since.

A teenager from Uttoxeter has tackled a 5km swimming challenge, as part of a five-year fund-raising campaign.

Evelyn Fletcher, aged 16, first combined swimming and fund-raising by taking part in Swimathon 2018, and has taken part each year since.

Her efforts in the pool have seen the teenager raise more than £1,200 for cancer charities.

Swimathon is a charity event encouraging people to take on swimming challenges in aid of Cancer Research UK, Marie Curie and Swimathon Foundation.

For her first Swimathon, Evelyn set a target of 500m and raised more than £300.

The following year she planned to double her target, but thanks to a busy training regime, completed 2,500m on the day in a personal best time of 1 hour 48 minutes, and raising a further £450.

The Covid-19 pandemic meant that Evelyn was forced to complete her Swimathon challenge over several sessions in 2020 and 2021.

Both times she aimed for a distance of 3,000m.

Evelyn said: “As it is my fifth year, I decided to really push myself and go for the big 5k challenge, which is 200 laps – that’s 80 more laps than last year.

“I am really pleased to be able to do something I love to be able to help so many people in some small way, and I hope the money raised will do great things.

“I was absolutely exhausted after but so very proud of myself and what I achieved.

“If anyone is able to help even a little by sponsoring me, I would be absolutely over the moon and eternally grateful.”

To donate to Evelyn’s 5k Swimathon fund, visit: Evelyn Fletcher is fundraising for Cancer Research UK, Marie Curie & The Swimathon Foundation at justgiving.com)

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