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Determined Fundraisers Swim
46 Miles in Memory of Local Farmer
PENNY Bower, a keen swimmer from Wirral, with
the help of family and friends, collectively swam an incredible 46 miles (2982
lengths) just over the equivalent distance of the English Channel and back- to
raise awareness of the UK's 5th biggest cancer killer; pancreatic cancer. The
event took place last weekend at West Kirby Concourse with 42 other swimmers who
joined Penny in her challenge, helping to raise over £3,500 for national charity
Pancreatic Cancer Action.
Penny was motivated to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer after losing her
father, Mike Bower, to the disease just 4 weeks after diagnosis in 2015. Mike's
Widow, Sue, also had a big part in making the weekend a success by holding a
cake, tombola and bric-a-brac sale that raised over £600 to contribute to the
total.
Penny says:- "Our Dad was a popular guy
and well known in the local area as a retired Farmer. During the event a member
of the public approached us, recognising the picture of our Dad by the side of
the pool and asked if she could become involved and swam over 100 lengths in 1
go!
This whole event started from 1 of my last conversations with Dad before he
died. Dad would always take an interest in how many lengths I'd swum since
taking this up as a past time and encouraged me, as my stamina increased and I
did more lengths.
I'd already signed up to do a Sky Dive for a charity supported by work shortly
after Dad died and promised Dad I would do a sponsored swim for him. I'm so
pleased to have completed this and never imagined it to be on this grand scale,
initially thinking to do it on my own and after some thought I wanted to make it
into a fun family event for my family and friends. I would like to thank
the amazing staff at West Kirby Concourse for supporting me in this challenge by
letting us use the pool after closing and sectioning off lanes on both days,
there was a real sense of unity from everyone!"
Pancreatic cancer has the lowest survival rate (at just 4%) of all common
cancers which hasn't changed for over 50 years, with 26 people dying a day from
the disease. Pancreatic Cancer Action is committed to working towards earlier
diagnosis of the disease so that surgery, currently the only cure, is made
available to the sufferer. Ultimately this will lead to improving survival
rates.
For more information about pancreatic cancer please visit pancreatic cancer
action
online.
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