Teacher plunges into open water to back rescue team
AHIGH school teacher’s longdistance open water swim has raised £970 for a mountain rescue team.
Charlotte Haworth, head of geography at Haslingden High School, raised the money to support Rossendale and Pendle Mountain Rescue Team.
She is known for mountain biking, running and walking over the fells near her home in Edenfield but the open water swim proved a new challenge.
Following training at Salford Quays, Charlotte competed in the onemile Aquasphere Epic Lakes Swim in Ullswater.
She said: “It was brilliant. It was probably about 14 to 15 degrees, I had swum in colder weather, but because it was my first official open water swim, I had to wear a wetsuit.
“There was a really good atmosphere and, because I had not done it before, I challenged myself to raise money for charity.
“I am always on the moors as is my family and we have never had to call the mountain rescue team out but the volunteers are always there to make sure there is back up for the emergency services and I follow what they do on Facebook.”
As well as training at Salford Quays, Charlotte also practised at Gaddings Dam above Todmorden, where there is a beach, and at Sale Water Park.
“What was phenomenal was the support that I received,” she said.
“I got so many messages from staff and colleagues that I don’t see on a day- to- day basis and that support meant so much to me. When I got in to swim, I had raised just over £ 600.
“When I finished, I was overwhelmed to find there was more than £800; I hope I may be able to top £ 1,000.
“I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who supported my first official open water swim and helped me raise so much money.”
Charlotte is looking to continue her swimming challenges and has her sights set on a swim and run challenge at Lake Windermere next year.