Helen's Loch Ness Swim

I am delighted to announce that I will be swimming the length of Loch Ness in August 2020 to raise funds for Orpheus.

The swim will be sponsored by my employer, McMillan Williams Solicitors (MWSL) and Orpheus is one of the Charities that MWSL supports. The Orpheus Centre is an independent specialist college in Surrey that focuses on developing independence skills through performing and visual arts and makes dramatic improvements to young disabled adults’ lives.

At 22 miles long, 230m deep and with temperatures as low as 7 degrees, less than 30 people have completed this challenge according to the British Long Distance Swimming Association Marathon Swim Database. I will be supported by a pilot and crew and will adopt Channel Swimming Rules, which means I will be wearing a standard swimming costume, a hat and a pair of goggles – no wetsuits are allowed.

The swim itself will be from Fort Augustus in the South to Loch End in the North and I am hoping to spot the friendly Loch Ness Monster lurking somewhere in the depths along the way.

I began open water swimming in 2011 with my sister Hayley following the unexpected death of our younger sister, Heather. Heather's nature was always very caring and giving and after visiting the Orpheus Centre at the beginning of this year and seeing first-hand the amazing work they do, I know that Heather would approve wholeheartedly with my decision to fundraise on behalf of such a worthy Charity.