Friday, 14th April 2023
“I decided when I turned 50 last September that I would have a YEAR of fundraising”
Meet Amanda Morgan – a dedicated charity fundraiser and a Barlicker who is taking on a ‘life-changing challenge’ as part of her year of fundraising for various causes.
Using our pool at West Craven Sports Centre, she is now many lengths into SWIM22 - "22 Miles. 12 Weeks. One Life-Changing Challenge!". SWIM22 for Diabetes UK, swimming the distance of the English Channel between March 22nd – June 22nd…that's 22 miles over 12 weeks!
Already three weeks in and she’s flying – but she needs our support and encouragement as this challenge only gets more difficult, both mentally and physically.
Why are you doing Swim22? What’s your reason?
I decided when I turned 50 last September that I would have a year of fundraising - so I have
chosen a few events and signed up for them. So far I have done Yoga for Cancer Research, walking for Refuge, now swimming for Diabetes. I have a colour run booked for COTE (bodyshop-children on the edge) and I would like to do a fundraiser for Pendleside Hospice and the Premature Baby Unit at Airedale (as my twins were there).
The reason I chose Diabetes UK is I have family members who are long term diabetics and I myself got gestational diabetes when pregnant with my son and have been told I am high risk to contract it later in life. I believe with research things can be done to help people living with diabetes have a better understanding and better tools to deal with it in everyday life.
Hence the reason for my small target of £50 - I have set this for each challenge.
Toughest element of it so far?
I had to decide where, when and how much to swim - and didn't realise the cost involved in swimming hence asking for your help. So in a 25m pool I need to swim 1416 lengths to reach my goal of 22 miles - swimming the width of The Channel!
Also, I had not swum for quite a while as I had an operation on my heel last year and wasn't allowed to get it wet until the graft had fully healed so I am getting back into swimming again and I'm loving how it makes me feel every time I come.
How can people help you along the way? Sponsorship, messages, swim with you?
I have already met some fellow swimmers at West Craven Sports Centre pool who are also doing the challenge which is great. I would love to hit my target but any extra would be amazing too - so any sponsorship would help (donate here!). I'm currently at £25.50 and 3.67m so quite a way to go yet. Messages of support would be lovely and I wear my cap when swimming to raise awareness for the cause. Tips and advice on the best goggles - also it would be great to advance my current breaststroke to include better breathing and techniques. Maybe even learn front crawl so I can swim faster?
Anyone wishing to help Amanda in whatever way they can should message our Digital Communications Coordinator on christopher.dean@pendleleisuretrust.co.uk