A group of friends have completed a 26-mile challenge around the shores of Windermere in memory of their much-loved friend.
Julie Dugdale, Lynn Nelson, Julie Bland, Lisa Smith and Sarah Boyle undertook the challenge on May 7 in honour of their late friend Amanda Wilson.
Their group efforts have helped to raise over £3,000 for three local charities; Blackwell Sailing, Cancer Care North Lancashire and South Cumbria and Paddlers for Life.
Initially the friends had hoped to raise £500, but as word got out public support grew and the donations came flooding in.
On the day they set off at 7am from Low Wray on the west shore of the lake, making for Low Wood Marina, where they met up with two dragon boats to paddle down to Royal Windermere Yacht Club, Bowness.
From there they joined a yacht to sail and motor down to Fell Foot Park. Once they disembarked at Fell Foot Park, the five friends then swam over to Newby Bridge and the final 13-mile leg of their challenge, a walk back to their starting point at Low Wray, finishing 15 hours after they started out.
Lisa said: ‘’We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone that has supported us in pulling this challenge together including Paddlers for Life and Royal Windermere Yacht Club.
“There’s no doubt that Amanda would have loved taking part, especially as it has helped raise so much money for the three charities she supported. The challenge really pushed everyone, but we were all determined to finish and, in the process, try to raise as much awareness of the work these three local charities do. Now we’re going to have a well-earned rest before we embark on our next group fundraising challenge.’’
Anyone who would like to donate can go: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/5do5windermerechallenge
