A Thetford woman is taking part in a relay swim of the English Channel, to raise money for charity.
Victoria Winterson is a professional sled dog racer by day, but turned to open water swimming when she was diagnosed with osteoarthritis, and other conditions which affect her back. Vic was advised by doctors that she wasn’t supposed to run, and avoid high impact activity. She suddenly found she could no longer do the things that she enjoyed. “The diagnosis was really bad on my mental health,” she said.
Growing up in Blackpool, Vic’s relationship with water started at an early age. “I used to enjoy taking the odd little dip in the sea,” she said.
Now suffering from chronic pain, Vic’s love for the water was rekindled after joining a group who swim in local waterways around Thetford. The Breckland Outdoor Swimming club has members of all ages and abilities, up to the age of 80. Vic credits her love for swimming for improving her mental, as well as physical, health.
“The second I am in the water, my back is relieved,” she said. “The group all look out for one another, it’s really saved my sanity!”
Vic is determined not to let her health conditions get in the way of her ambition, and this year she is embarking on her most challenging swim yet – a relay crossing of the English Channel. Six swimmers will take it in turns to swim sections of the 21-mile stretch open ocean, which is roughly 1,400 lengths of a standard swimming pool!
The swim is organised by Aspire, a charity who support people paralysed by spinal cord injuries. The charity have been running Channel relay swims since 2009, and in that time have guided 104 teams to France, all raising money to provide accessible housing, independent living and much more. They also run an annual Channel Challenge, where people can sign up to swim the length of the Channel, from the comfort of their own pool.
Vic, though, has decided to take on the real thing. “Despite my diagnosis, I didn’t realise how lucky I was that I could still do a number of things I enjoy. Those who have suffered a Spinal Cord Injury are not so lucky and I want to help as much as possible,” she said.
Vic has already raised over £2,000 for Aspire on her JustGiving page, and anyone wishing to donate can scan the QR code opposite. Vic also has her sights set on the future, and hopes to one day tackle the entire fourteen hour Channel swim on her own. “It’s extremely expensive and you have to be qualified, but I’d love to take it on at some point in the next five years,” she said.
Weather permitting, Vic’s relay swim will take place on Thursday, 31st July, with three training weekends between now and then. “Good luck” from all of us at About Thetford!
