Catherine Crawford, a resident of Henley-on-Thames, is set to participate once more in the Sue Ryder Lap the Lake event at Hi5Ski School in Reading this May. Her efforts aim to support everyone in her community who relies on Sue Ryder's services.
An avid open-water swimmer, Crawford eagerly joined the fundraising initiative last year after seeing it advertised and has now signed up for the 2025 edition. She describes Lap the Lake as a wonderful event where people gather for a shared purpose: enjoying open water while raising money for a vital cause. She notes that nearly everyone knows someone who has been supported by Sue Ryder or has experienced the exceptional palliative or end-of-life care it provides.
Crawford highlights the diverse mix of participants, spanning different ages, fitness levels, and abilities, all of whom are cheered on and supported, creating a brilliant community day out.
Sue Ryder Lap the Lake returns to Hi5Ski School in Reading on Saturday, May 16. Swimmers can choose from 500m, 750m, or 1km distances, with a new 2.5km option added this year.
Funds raised will support Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice and Sue Ryder Palliative Care Hub South Oxfordshire, which provide expert palliative, end-of-life, and grief support. Crawford encourages those feeling nervous to give it a try, noting that the initial cold shock fades quickly, and the swimming experience is brilliant. Open water swimming also offers numerous health benefits, and participants know they are supporting a fantastic charity.
Last year's event raised £8,700 for Sue Ryder, enough to fund 290 hours of care, enabling doctors and nurses to manage patients' pain and symptoms and allowing families to focus on love during final days.
Ashni Parmar, regional fundraising manager at Sue Ryder, expressed excitement to welcome Crawford and all participants, encouraging everyone from seasoned swimmers to newcomers to join and make a splash. Without such support, the charity cannot continue to be there when it matters.
The event is open to those aged 18 and over. All swimmers must wear a brightly colored swimming hat in the lake, which they should bring on the day; a limited number will be available for purchase.
For more information and to register, visit the Sue Ryder website. Online sign-up closes at midnight on Sunday, May 10, but participants can still enter on the day. Location: Oxfordshire and Berkshire.
