Grandmother to swim one mile in open water (From Echo)

Grandmother to swim one mile in open water

7:00am Wednesday 6th February 2013 in News

A GRANDMOTHER is to take part in the world’s biggest open water swimming challenge just seven months after learning to swim.

Janice Banks, 65, from Canewdon, will swim a mile across a South African dam on Sunday to raise money for three charities that help fight diseases or conditions that afflict her grandchildren.

The pensioner, who has been trains at Clements Hall Leisure Centre, Hawkwell, said: “It was a struggle to do two lengths when I started and it would take me all day. I thought I’d never do it.

“But now I’m in the fast lane at Clements Hall doing a mile three times a week.

“I feel my muscles aren’t strong enough and my shoulder doesn’t work as well as it used to, but I feel I’ve got to do it for the kids.”

Mrs Banks has raised about £1,700 so far.

To donate visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/janicebanks.