Fife policewoman takes on Nessie challenge

A Fife policewoman is taking on a monster of a challenge at Loch Ness to raise awareness of dementia.

Elizabeth Urquhart, 36, will swim 24 miles in open water in memory of her late father-in-law who was diagnosed with alzheimer’s at the age of 53 and died in 2014.

The Dunfermline community police officer will tackle the Loch Ness Monster Swim with colleagues from Police Scotland as part of Team Nessquick in July.

Their effort is in aid of this month’s Challenge Dementia, a campaign to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer Scotland.

Ms Urquhart, who manages to juggle swimming with her job and raising two young children, said: “As a keen swimmer I trained with my colleague Euan Miller to take part in the Great Scottish Swim last year.

“The whole process was so rewarding that we invited colleagues who had previously taken part in sporting challenges in the water to join us this year to tackle the Loch Ness Monster Swim.

“Due to the temperature of the water and other factors, we know that the swim will really challenge us all.

“Ultimately we hope to raise as much money as possible for Alzheimer Scotland to help support vital services for those living with dementia across Scotland.”

Ms Urquhart’s team includes her colleagues Euan Miller, Rebecca McCrae, Ian Bennett, Kev Spears and Mike Harvey.