Three young novice swimmers from Barrow in Furness completed a 500 metre swim in Coniston for The Conservation Volunteers!
Part of a team of fifteen, fundraising for The Conservation Volunteers, it took them just under 30 minutes to swim the distance from a deep water start.
Using a variety of strokes, including ‘doggy paddle’ the trio were supported by TCV staff who also took part in the event and organised the training sessions.
Three of the five young swimmers were Marley Shaw and Jordan Loughran aged 17 from Barrow-in-Furness and 19 year old Izaak Currie from Dalton In Furness.
Marely Shaw said he got involved in the swim as he thought it would be something different and fun to do. And, although he found it hard, he would no like to do more swimming.
Marley, Jordan and Izaak are the latest recruits to sign up to a project supporting 16 to 25 year olds across Cumbria to help their community. All three now want to become first aid volunteers linking up with St Johns Ambulance and the Casualties Union in Barrow.
Reflecting on their success, CLIP project manager Charlotte Robinson said: “The three from Barrow are all recent registrations and they have never tackled anything like this before. Completing the swim has given them a great sense of achievement. It’s also given them a brilliant introduction to volunteering. They’ve gone on to sign up for activities that will benefit their communities.”
To help them prepare for the race TCV project team staff held two training events in Windermere. As Charlotte explained: “By the time they entered the water at Coniston they knew what to expect, they had learned how to breath and cope with cold water and they had advice on dealing with the day itself.”
It is hoped that the event will raise £500 for TCV. Anyone wanting to donate should visit: www.virginmoneygiving.com/team/clip13
The CLIP Project is a youth volunteering scheme run by The Conservation Volunteers. They work with 16—25 year olds across Cumbria enabling young people to take up volunteering and contribute to their local communities.
