A GROUP of cold water enthusiasts have compiled a charity calendar to support their friend who is being treated for breast cancer.

In February 2023 Lakeland Wild Swimmers received the news that their much-loved founder, Claire had been diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer stage 3.

Claire, who is from Staveley, began her chemotherapy and immunotherapy immediately and the rest of the group set about thinking of ways to help. 

The idea for the 2024 calendar was born after the annual sunrise swim in Windermere for International Women’s Day when inspiration hit one of the ladies.

Two local photographers James Kirby and Louise Thompson agreed to take the photos, an anonymous swimmer donated the first £600, and a Just Giving page was set up to get us started. Further donations came in including a donation to cover the cost of printing the first 300 calendars.

A spokesperson for the group said: "We collaborated with CancerCare South Cumbria and North Lancashire, an amazing charity who support people affected by a cancer diagnosis or bereavement.

"We came together to visit some of our most favourite swim spots to shoot the calendar, and we wanted to capture the beautiful surroundings.

"We are so lucky to swim in as well as the love and joy we all share as a group of friends of all different ages and backgrounds who come together with a shared passion for swimming outside."

Lakeland Wild Swimmers began in 2019 as a group of friends from across the local area who enjoyed swimming outdoors.

The group has around 60 members, aged from 27 to 80 years, who meet regularly for swims in lakes and rivers across Cumbria, North Yorkshire and Lancashire.

The calendar costs £10 (plus postage) and is on sale through the CancerCare Ebay shop and in local branches of CancerCare.

To purchase the calendar visit this website.