Open Water Swim for Charity
A young Aycliffe water polo player will take part in the half-mile event at this year’s Great North Swim in Windermere. Jake Mendelsohn is entering the event to raise money and awareness for the Brain Tumour Research Campaign. The 13 year-old is taking on the challenge in support of a family friend Anna Swabey who was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour just over a year ago.
Jake is making the short trip to take part in Europe’s biggest open water swimming event. Taking place over three days from the 10-12 July, around 10,000 participants of all ages and abilities are expected to join young swimmer in the annual challenge, over a number of different distances.
Jake is a keen pool swimmer and began playing water polo at age eight, five years on and he is already representing his club and the North East regional team. He has also recently taken part in the British Schools Modern Biathlon Championships. After qualifying in the Yorkshire heats, he reached the finals at the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre. Jake finished in 14th place in his category representing his school, Woodham Community Technology College.
Jake’s experience in the water has certainly put him in good spirits leading up to the event, “I’m excited about doing something I’ve never done before but a bit nervous as well, I feel proud to be doing something to raise money for brain tumour research”.
Mum Allison highlighted how keen and excited Jake was to take on the challenge, despite never experiencing open water swimming before, “Jake knows how different open water swimming is to simply swimming up and down a pool. Whether or not this is just a one off event for him we’ll have to wait and see how he feels after his race. If he likes it, he will likely continue to do it every year”.
Entries for the Great North Swim are still open. Please visit greatswim.org/north for more information or to enter.
If you would like to check out Anna’s campaign, please visit https://annaswabey.wordpress.com/charity-fundraising/ – all donations welcome.
