A CANCER survivor who was diagnosed just months after losing her sister to the disease is urging people to take the plunge in the world’s largest annual swimming fundraiser.
Sheelagh Connelly from Gilmorton near Lutterworth was all set to take the plunge for Swimathon last March to raise money for Cancer Research UK and Marie Curie in memory of her sister Alison, who was a county champion swimmer – but the nationwide campaign had to be cancelled when the pandemic hit.
Now Sheelagh is preparing to make a splash as the fund-raising event gets underway in September – and she is urging others to join her to help tackle the devastating loss of charity funding caused by Covid.
Sheelagh had to undergo a hysterectomy aged 39 after being diagnosed with cervical cancer in January 2003.
The diagnosis was particularly painful because her sister Alison had died of breast cancer just four months earlier, leaving behind six-year-old daughter Amy. Alison was just 42.
Sheelagh will swim in memory of her sister Alison, who died of breast cancer in 2002 aged 42, leaving behind six-year-old daughter Amy.
Sheelagh, now 56, says the guilt she experienced for surviving when her sister died led to her make huge changes in her life.
She said: “It was difficult to get my head around it all because I never really felt ill. I went off the rails a bit, smoking, partying and spending money – I thought I was trying to make the most of life but, looking back, it was survivor guilt.
“Alison died even though she was fit and looked after herself well. Yet here I was throwing my life away.”
So she started swimming – and now wants to highlight the positive power of swimming for individuals and charities.
She said: “I needed structure and a reason to get up in the morning, so I became goal orientated and lost three stone in two years. Swimming helped me feel stronger again after the toughest period of my life.
“Not being able to go in the water was hard during lockdown as it really helps to clear my head. So now, I’m enjoying being back in the pool and having a goal to focus on.
“I want to take part in Swimathon because it’s a great way for me to focus on my fitness while raising funds in Alison’s memory. She loved swimming and was a county champion in her youth, and I have lots of happy memories of family trips to the pool.”
Sheelagh emphasised that the event isn’t just for super-swimmers, with a variety of distances for all ages and abilities.
“Swimathon is such a fun and simple way to encourage people to dip their toe in the water and get swimming – all while supporting two incredible charities,” she added. “It really doesn’t matter if you’re not the fittest or the fastest. I hope swimmers young and old, new and experienced will dive in and help thousands of families across the UK.”
Swimathon has raised more than £55m for charities since it began in 1986. This year will also see the Swimathon Foundation donate £2.50 from every entry fee to help protect pools and venues for the future, following the impact of the pandemic.
Paula Young, Cancer Research UK spokesperson for Leicestershire, said: “We’d like to thank Sheelagh for her unwavering support. One in two of us will get cancer in our lifetime. All of us can support the research that will beat it.
“Moderate exercise such as swimming can also help build stamina, burn calories and keep a healthy body weight, which reduces the risk of a range of diseases including cancer. Swimming regularly is also gentle on the joints, can lower stress levels, reduce anxiety and depression, and improve sleep patterns.
“So, we hope everyone will grab their caps and costumes and sign up now to help us keep making transformative steps in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.”
Mark Winton, Head of Community Fundraising at Marie Curie, said: “We’re so excited that pools have re-opened and people can once again take the plunge and make a splash while helping raise vital donations.
“At Marie Curie, we rely on the support of the amazing public to ensure our nurses can keep caring for people at the end of their lives and that grieving people in the UK can get the care and support they need.
“Every penny raised helps us make a difference to the end of life care people in the UK receive.”
Swimathon events will take place at venues across the UK on the weekend of September 10-12. People can take part individually or as part of a team, at distances ranging from 400m to Triple 5k.
Visit www.swimathon.org for more information or to sign up.
