A dad and daughter have completed an open water swimming challenge to raise funds for Brain Tumour Research.
Olive Dury, 11, and her dad Simon took to the water yesterday to complete the 1km Exmoor Big Swim at Wimbleball Lake. Their challenge was inspired by the devastating loss of mum and wife, Helen.
A keen open water swimmer, Helen was taken ill as she swam at Clevedon Marine Lake in February and had to be rescued from the water. Initially treated for cold water shock, Helen suffered a series of seizures which left her with irreversible and life-changing injuries. A scan revealed her seizures were the result of a bleed on her brain caused by an inoperable glioma and her family were told to say goodbye.
Helen died days later, on 6th February 2022, aged 43.
The challenge was particularly poignant as last year Simon and Olive were cheering on Helen as she took part in the 4km event.
Simon said: “Since returning to swimming, that was her longest distance in the water; Helen overcame nerves to complete it faster than expected. This time Olive, myself and friends completed the 1km challenge. For Olive the challenge was the distance, and for me the cold water and trying not to sink.”
The pair are aiming to raise £4,275, which will bring their total fundraising to £10,960 which represents the equivalent funding of four days research at one of our Centres of Excellence.
If you’d like to support Simon and Olive, you can donate via their JustGiving page: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/olive-simon-dury
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