Firefighter has a loch on for funds

IN the swim . . . Simon in training

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A DETERMINED firefighter is swapping tackling burning blazes for the cold waters of Scotland as he prepares for a 24-mile fundraising swimming challenge.

Simon Connolly, from Royton, is hoping to add his name to the shortlist of people who have successfully swum the 24-mile length of Loch Lomond to raise money for CLIC Sargent, the cancer support charity for children and young people.

Simon, who works as a firefighter at Manchester Airport, only got into swimming in the last few years, as he looked for a new interest to replace rugby league, but now a self-confessed open water swimming addict, he has set himself his hardest challenge.

The swim, which 52-year-old Simon hopes to complete in September, weather permitting, will see him swim the equivalent of 1,540 lengths of a standard swimming pool.

Inspired

CLIC Sargent is the official charity partner of the Manchester Airports Group, but Simon was particularly inspired to support it after losing his brother to cancer last year.

He said: "John was 58 when we lost him to cancer and things happened very quickly.

"It really makes you realise how quickly your whole life can change.

"I can't imagine how devastating a diagnosis of cancer could be for a child or a young person, so I think it's really important they get that support."

Despite being the age when many people are starting to put their feet up, Simon is relishing his training and the epic challenge itself and has already raised more than £9,000 in funds.

"The majority of the challenge is going to be mental, " he said.

"Once you get into the water, your mindset just has to be that you will complete it. You just can't let yourself give up. I'm expecting some knocks on the way, but I will just take it one stroke at a time.

"I definitely think there is an element of me telling myself: 'I'm not too old, I can still do this'.

"I keep telling myself that I have hit my ceiling and can't do anymore, but then I get drawn into doing something more. This is the big one though. It's bigger than anything I've ever done."

This will not be Simon's first lake crossing, having previously swum Lake Windermere, Coniston and Ullswater.

However Loch Lomond is more than double the length of Windermere, meaning he could spend around 18 hours in the water.

Simon will be supported on the swim by a safety crew -? Swim4Miles - who will keep him stocked with food and energy drinks, so that he has the ability to keep going for the huge distance.

He is also being sponsored by Terberg DTS, who have kindly covered all costs associated with the swim and without them Simon would not have been able to undertake this challenge.

In 2015, staff of Manchester Airports Group, the UK's largest UK-owned airport operator, chose CLIC Sargent as its official charity partner.

The group hopes to raise £1 million to help the charity support young cancer patients through a range of services, including social workers, nurse specialists, financial grants and free accommodation near hospitals.

Sam Scott, Fundraising Corporate Account Manager for CLIC Sargent, said: "This truly is an epic challenge and Simon is tackling it at the stage in his career when most people are looking for an excuse to put their feet up. We are all very impressed and very grateful for his support.

"CLIC Sargent receives no government funding, so it is only through the great support of donors and partners such as Manchester Airports Group that we are able to keep providing our vital frontline services to young lives affected by cancer right across the UK. We can't wait to cheer Simon on in this fantastic challenge."

To sponsor Simon, visit his fundraising site on https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/simonswimslochlomond