Church N ews Sandy splashes out for his church
A 65- year- old will swim two miles in Loch Lomond in an open water event.
Gritty Alexander Mavor has entered next month’s Great Scottish Swim to raise funds for his local church hall in Dundonald.
Alexander, better known as Sandy, said: “The church plays a very important part in village life and a lot of organisations use it, including two brothers who use it to train for the Olympic and World Champion competitions in the Boccia para event.”
Although this will be the fourth Great Scottish Swim for Sandy, swimming has only been a recent addition to his life.
He said: “Having not swum seriously since school, when I retired at 60, I joined my wife going to the early- birds’ session at Troon Pool.
“A friend mentioned the Great Scottish Swim and I could not resist swimming in such a beautiful Loch that is so close to home.
“The target this year is to break 60 minutes for the two miles, although it will definitely be weather permitting.”
The Great Scottish Swim takes place on Saturday, August 26, offering a range of distances for swimmers of all ages and abilities: a half mile, one mile, two miles, 5k and 10k.
Sandy has even convinced his family to join him in the water.
He said: “One of our three daughters is swimming her first open water one mile event, and the two would probably be joining if they lived a little nearer. “My wife is happy sticking to pool swimming though!” As well as swimming in Loch Lomond every year since 2013, Sandy has entered other open water events across Scotland.
He said: “I have swum 2km in Loch Venachar, as well as the 3.6 miles from Loch Lubnaig to Largs.
“I’ve also done four annual swims of 1.6 miles from the Island of Cumbrae to Largs in aid of a local cancer charity, Gillian’s Saltire Appeal.”
He added: “Swimming has really helped me with my fitness and with rehab after a fall off my bike.
“I am almost a stone lighter than I was before retirement – as an accountant, there was a fair amount of desk time!”
Entries for the Great Scottish Swim are now open online.