Nerves of Steele conquer frigid loch

IT will be the best cold, hard cash Melanoma Tasmania has ever received thanks to the courageous swim of Hobart schoolteacher Anne Steele in an icy Scottish lake.

The 48-year-old distance swimmer achieved her goal of swimming the 11km Loch Earn, where the water was a bone-chilling 11C.

Tasmanian of the Year in 2008, Steele’s mission had two objectives — to raise money for cancer research and to mark the 10th anniversary of her 48km English Channel swim in 2007.

Melanoma Tasmania is particularly close to her heart, given she was diagnosed with a malignant melanoma five years ago.

“I had to go in for surgery to remove the melanoma and its surrounding margins and then wait for further results to see what the prognosis was. I was one of the lucky ones and know that now,” Steele said.

Having swum Loch Earn in the Scottish Highlands, Steele was proud as could be.

“I came, I swam and I achieved,” she said.

“It has been a massive undertaking to take on this challenge and I’ve ticked it off my bucket list.

“This one is the hardest, most mentally and physically challenging thing I have ever done.”

Steele said she took “immense satisfaction” from the personal campaign.

“But the satisfaction of accomplishing a goal knowing it has made a difference to someone else is far greater,” she said.

“My effort was to raise awareness and funds for Melanoma Tasmania and over $11 000 has now been raised. What a difference this will make to the work that can be done to support, educate and reduce the incidence of this avoidable cancer. Every cent helps.”