 |
|
|
Sister Publications
|
|
|
| |
Exmouth
Christmas Day Swim To order photos take a note of reference
numbers and CLICK
HERE>> PICTURES BY SIMON HORN
 | | Ref:
53-04-7352SH |  | | Ref:
53-04-7333SH |  | | Ref:
53-04-7328SH |  | | Ref:
53-04-7318SH |  | | Ref:
53-04-7296SH |  | | Ref:
53-04-7339SH |
Pat and 300 others brave the icy seaAN
EXMOUTH grandmother, who conquered her fear of water to take part in the town’s
Christmas Day swim, has raised over £1,000 for charity, writes Matt Smith.
Pat
Wilkins, 62, of the Exmouth Animals’ Dispensary, The Strand, braved near
freezing temperatures to join hundreds of other swimmers at the annual event.
Pat
said: “I was so nervous and when I woke up that morning I was absolutely
dreading it. When we arrived, there was a huge crowd, thousands of people looking
on and a few hundred taking part. The atmosphere was tremendous.
“A
group of us held hands and we walked in together. The tide
was going out so
we had to wade quite far to get waist deep. A man nearby talked us through it.
“When
we were deep enough, he said: ‘Duck your shoulders below the water and then
run like hell’ and so we did. It was all a bit of a blur. I think I was too
scared to notice how cold the water was at the time.”
Around 300 people
braved the chilly water to take the seasonal plunge off Exmouth seafront on Sunday
morning. Many turned out in Santa Claus outfits and fancy dress to brighten up
the fresh Boxing Day morning.
More than 1,000 others stood and watched
as the bathers made the dash to brave the waves at 11am. Exmouth Mayor Trevor
Cope signalled the ceremonial start of the dip, although many swimmers didn't
stay in long as the winter weather took hold.
Mrs Wilkins had not swum
since she slipped on some steps and fell headfirst into a swimming pool as a child.
Confronting fears
She decided to confront her fears
to raise money for children’s charity Whizz-kids. This organisation provides
customised wheelchairs and specialised mobility equipment for disabled children
in the UK.
Mrs Wilkins said she chose Whiz-kids because her granddaughter
is handicapped.
“The generosity of people has been amazing. There
wasn’t a single person who said ‘no’ to me.
“I just
couldn’t believe the kindness and support I received from friends and acquaintances.
“That made my Christmas and I would like to say a big thank you to
everyone who helped me. We have collected more than £1,000 and there’s
still a bit more to be counted.”
Despite the resounding success of
her sponsored swim, Mrs Graham is unlikely to be seen at any swimming baths in
the near future.
“I won’t be going in again ever. I’m still
terrified of water and I’m just glad it’s all over.”
 |  | | Ref:
53-04-7281SH | Ref: 53-04-7312SH |  |  | | Ref:
53-04-7355SH | Ref: 53-04-7294SH |
 | 
|  | | Ref:
53-04-7337SH | Ref: 53-04-7334SH | Ref:
53-04-7356SH |  |  |  | | Ref:
53-04-7343SH | Ref: 53-04-7344SH | Ref:
53-04-7289SH |
|
| |