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Mid Argyll swimmers turn the tide against cancer

A total of 117 swimmers took part in the latest Turn the Tide Against Cancer event held at Mid Argyll Swimming Pool on Saturday.

Organised by the Simpson family, Dr Mark and Kirsty and their daughter Iona, the event in aid of Cancer Research UK saw 8,355 lengths of the pool completed over the course of the day.

Two years ago this event raised an amazing £7,000. As The Argyllshire Advertiser went to press this week, £3,000 had been received and counted, with 80 per cent of sponsorship forms still to be returned by the swimmers.

Kirsty Simpson said: “It was a very enjoyable, successful day and everyone seemed to enjoy taking part.”

She explained that the participants swam more lengths than last time; there were more young people taking part this time and lots of helpers turned out to do their bit on the day.

The organisers thanked everyone who contributed by sponsoring the event, donating raffle prizes, taking part and helping out with lane-counting and other tasks on the day.

Richard Cowie of Cancer Research UK, who was on hand to give advice and information, said he thanked the Simpson family for its tremendous efforts and the community for supporting the event.

“It is a great day in Lochgilphead,” he added. Among the swimmers was Derek Wallace, who swam 30 lengths and raised £250. Derek said he wanted to thank his work colleagues, friends and relatives for supporting him.

Swimming in the last hour of the event were Rona Young, Susan Cameron and Christine McRae, all members of Mid Argyll Cancer Support Group. Between them they raised £360 by completing 140 lengths of the 20 metre pool, all counted by fellow group member Sheila Cameron.

2014: There were smiles all around from the Inveraray Primary School shinty team which won a Certificate of Fair Play at a national competition on Saturday. The children won the Fair Play award in recognition of their sportsmanship at The Gilmour Sports National First shinty festival at the Nevis Centre, Fort William. The side also put in an impressive playing performance in the competition finishing third overall. Lynn Sinclair, head teacher at Inveraray Primary, said: ‘The school is very proud of the team and the effort that they put in at the competition.’