Mum swims to aid spinal injury cases

From the archive, first published Wednesday 28th Sep 2005.

A SWINDON mum is going to great lengths to raise money for charity ­ 1,760 to be exact.

Mum of three, Sharon Perrin, from Stratton, is hoping to complete a 22-mile swim as part of a Swim Channel Challenge to raise money for ASPIRE, a spinal cord injury charity.

Sharon, 35, said: "Before I heard about the ASPIRE challenge I had never really appreciated how lucky I am to be able to just go out and walk or swim.

"It really hit home for me and I decided to offer my support".

ASPIRE is a registered charity, working to reintegrate spinally injured people back into society following injury and also to improve the quality of life for wheelchair users.

"My nan died recently, so I'm partly doing this in memory of her, which helps a great deal when the challenge gets a bit difficult."

Sharon is certainly not new to the swimming arena having swum professionally for several years before retiring to concentrate on having a family.

Sharon competed all over the world, winning medals swimming for Reading Swimming Club and Berkshire County.

Sharon said: "I have a very supportive family and that is essential to help me juggle a business, three children and a swim challenge the equivalent of the English Channel. I don't expect it to be easy".

Sharon helps run SP Computers in Old Town with her husband and swims in the evenings to complete the challenge that is spread over 12 weeks.

Sharon said: "I'm hoping to complete the challenge in six weeks because I swim quite regularly. As well as being for a good cause, the swim helps me get back into shape after having had my daughter, Bethanie, 11 months ago."

In one session, Sharon swam 160 lengths, or 2 miles, which would explain how she lost 10lb in three weeks.

"I go up to Dorcan swimming pool three or so evenings a week to further the challenge, hopefully that will help me get back into shape."

Sharon has so far been supported by members of Leigh Child's School of Tae Kwon Do but is still looking for outside sponsorship to help her reach a better target.

If you would like to help support Sharon's English Channel feat and raise money for ASPIRE, or to take part yourself, call Rosie Cotton Coles on 08000 370 880.

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