‘This Girl Can!’ says swimmer
A Sunderland swimmer who found her sea legs by diving into the waves off Roker Beach is now inspiring women across the country to find their own way to fitness.
Gill Dando stars in the new video for the This Girl Can campaign, the Sport England project to promote sport among women.
The 39-year-old features after she was coaxed into auditioning by fellow swimmers when film makers visited Fausto cafe, on Marine Walk.
The business has a sports and social club which hosts language classes, yoga sessions, bike rides, runs and swims on Thursday nights and Sunday mornings.
It was through its yearround bathing club that Gill discovered a new love of outdoor swimming.
Gill, who is an aunt to Lillie-Grace Dando, two, and cousin to Coral Nichol, five, and Phoebe Nichol, eight, hopes the video will encouragewomen to take up as port as well as show children and young women they should not fear fitness because they are self-conscious.
“When I saw it, I nearly cried, just the message of it is so inspirational,” she said.
“I think it’s so lovely the way they have done it, it’s been made so tastefully and it reaches out to anybody, all different shapes and sizes and nationalities.
“There are children in my family and it makes me really proud and I can say, ‘I did that.’
“I’ve had a lot of other people share it on social media and other swimming groups on Facebook saying ‘I wasn’t going to go out, but now I am’ and they’ve showed it to their sons and daughters saying ‘This is mummy or daddy’s friend.’
“They’ve all taken different messages from it, which is really positive.
“I think if I’m on national television, swimming in front of cameras and not care, then anybody can.”