Charity swim shortened by bad weather (From The Westmorland Gazette)
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Charity swim shortened by bad weather
12:10pm Thursday 28th June 2012 in News
A charity swimming race in Windermere this Saturday to raise money for emergency services staff injured on duty has been shortened by the weather.
Langdale Chase Hotel managing director Thomas Noblett and his good friend Stuart Hyde, Cumbria’s Chief Constable, will go head-to-head in the ‘Blue Lamp Trial’, which will be started by the widow of PC David Rathband.
Heavy rain all week has plunged the temperature of the water in Windermere and high winds of 25mph are forecast, meaning the pair will now swim around six miles.
Their brave feat will also raise money for under-privileged local children from South Cumbria.
The epic will now start at Bowness Bay at midday on Saturday instead of from the shores of Fell Foot, and will conclude at Waterhead Bay near Ambleside.
Other swimmers and a flotilla of fundraising canoeists and kayakers will be following close behind while charity collectors raise money on the shores. The event will be officially started by Katherine Rathband; David’s widow, mother to his two children and a patron of The Blue Lamp Foundation.
PC Rathband, 44, came up with the idea of creating a dedicated charity, after suffering horrific injuries when he was shot by Raoul Moat on July 4, 2010.
The charity supports emergency services personnel who have been injured in the line of duty as a result of a criminal act. It aims to raise £1 million pounds in its first three years.
Proceeds will be divided between the Blue Lamp Foundation and Mr Noblett’s own charity Gladmiral, which he established to help disadvantaged youngsters learn to swim.
Mr Noblett said: “The emergency services are unsung heroes and once they are injured they shouldn’t be forgotten about. They put their lives on the line and help us when we’re in trouble, so let’s help them.” He has dueled with Mr Hyde on numerous occasions and said: “I’ll see the Chief Constable at the start and I’ll be waiting for him at the end.”
A charity auction will also take place at the hotel after the event. To pledge support to the event, visit www.justgiving.com/teams/bluelamptrial1
