Sarah to embark on heroic Channel swim
A Lincolnshire woman whose great-uncle flew with Guy Gibson on the Dambusters raid will swim the channel in support of the heroes of today.
Sarah Hobday, 30, has taken up the gruelling 21-mile challenge planned for July to raise money for Help for Heroes.
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Sarah Hobday, 30, of Lincoln, is hoping to swim the Channel in July next year to raise money for Help For Heroes
"I have always wanted to do it because I just love swimming – I could live in the water and I am a good, strong swimmer too," said Miss Hobday of Epsom Road, Birchwood, Lincoln.
And her family background – most members have been in the forces – is what has spurred her on.
"To me this is a great charity and I wish it had come a long time age for all our other heroes of the past," she said.
"I want to help the forces and the people who have been injured and also those who have lost someone. I think the men and women who fight for our country are doing a brilliant job."
She has taken a year off from her job in security to take up a training regime consisting of pilates, aerobics, weights, cycling and swimming 25 miles a week in order to get to peak fitness.
But before she can really pin her hopes on doing the swim, she needs someone to come forward with a boat to provide support while she ploughs across the route towards Calais.
On that route she is likely to encounter sewage, jellyfish and ferry traffic in what is a busy shipping lane, not to mention fluctuating swells and temperatures.
4 Comments
by Julie Dudas, Barnsley
Tuesday, September 08 2009, 12:19PM
“I am following Sarah on Facebook and am really impressed with her courage and determination - She is just as much of a hero as the guys and girls she is trying to help 21 miles of rough water is some feat - i hope someone comes up with a boat for you Sarah - try finding out who helped David Walliams do his channel swim and get some celevrity back up - that should do the trick - keep up th egood work ALL THE BEST -
Julie”
by Bill, Lincoln
Monday, September 07 2009, 4:19PM
“I can't praise people like Sarah enough. In a perfect world there would be no war and we would not need an army, but it is not a perfect world and we need an Army, Navy and Airforce and always will. We should all get behind Sarah and help her raise as much as possible for these brave servicemen and women.”
by Debbie, Lincoln
Monday, September 07 2009, 10:34AM
“Just want to wish sarah all the luck in the world what a great cause.”
by sarah, lincoln
Monday, September 07 2009, 9:03AM
“Go Sarah. I know you have been training really hard and i hope that you gain enough support from the people in lincoln to help the heroes. as a daughter of someone in the forces myself i know what a worrying time people back home have and i wish you all the luck in the world. its something that i couldnt do but i know you can do it. Good luck”