Supporting Old Friends *updated!

Many of you won't be familiar with Claire Smith (nee Hancox) but she swam with us back in the 1990s to the early 2000's. 

Now during that time her father Mel was a huge supporter of the club, he ran the club shop for year after year, week in week out, he was the treasurer for a year or two and supported the club at galas and open meets. Now very very sadly Mel has been diagnosed with Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) an incurable disease that is devastating neurological condition that is ultimately terminal. 

Heroically, Claire dusted off her goggles and jumped back in the pool in the greatest comeback since Lazarus, and took on the 5km swim challenge last Sunday (14th April). Claire completed the swim in an hour and 36 minutes, which she was actually disappointed with! A very solid effort given that she's been out of the pool for so long! It was a bit of a battle though as after 60 lengths in of the 200 she started to feel her legs cramping up, so it was very much a case of managing it thereafter. When she lifted the pace for the last couple of lengths the cramp well and truly took hold and made those last 50m the absolute pits!! 

Anyhow, please give Claire your support on her justgiving page....

http://justgiving.com/Claire- Smith87

As a club, we're absolutely devastated, and we're doing our utmost to support Claire and already the club has pledged £200 in sponsorship. However please feel free to add your donation too. It will be greatly appreciated and it would be in recognition of somebody that supported our club for many years and without that, who knows where the club would be now.