Leicestershire woman attempts another record breaking swim

Leicestershire swimmer Dr. Julie ‘Madfish’ Bradshaw MBE is making a splash to add an extra world record to her collection this summer by taking on another tough challenge.

On Monday 11 August, Julie (50), of Loughborough, will lead an international team aiming to complete the world’s longest lake swim by a standard relay team of six. Between them, they will swim 147 miles non-stop in just 86 hours – which is 21 miles further than the current record set in 2011.

If successful, this will be the 21^st personal long distance swimming world record that Julie has secured. The team will also be seeking sponsorship for the challenge for Rainbows in memory of Susan Taylor. Susan lost her life while attempting to swim the English Chanel for us last year. Susan, who was also a close friend of Julie’s, had planned to be part of the team.

Julie said: “I am really excited about this challenge and have a great team, having coached all of the swimmers. The swim will take place over three days which means we are in and out of the water overnight and will get little sleep whilst staying on the boat for that time. I have done various long relays in the past and know how tiring it gets. But teamwork will get us all through.

“Although Susan isn’t around to swim with us, I know she will be there in spirit and I will be thinking of her all the way. The relay swim will also be an extra birthday present for me as I turned 50 this year. Fourteen Ways of Windermere in 2014, the lake where I began my swimming career back in 1977. It will certainly be a Happy 50^th.”

Other team members are Bridgette Hobart, USA; Georgina Tuffin, Daniel Bryson, Andrew Koval, and Lisa Auchinvole, Each participant will swim for one hour in relay succession until 14 laps, starting from Ambleside to Lakeside return, are complete.

Julie added: “The relay will be done under Channel Swimming Association and British Long Distance Swimming Association rules which only permit a standard swimsuit, hat and goggles. There will be no wetsuits.”

Katie Baxter, Events and Community Manager at Rainbows, added: “I would like to thank Julie and the team for taking on this remarkable challenge and for supporting Rainbows. They are doing a wonderful thing raising funds to help us run the hospice – fundraising efforts make such a huge difference to both the children at Rainbows and their families.”

To sponsor Julie and the team, visit www.justgiving.com/relayworldrecordswim