Norfolk mum swims Lake Geneva

KATE SCOTTER
05 November 2009 14:49



A mum-of-two braved sea-sickness, choppy waters and gusty winds to raise hundreds of pounds for two good causes.

Gaynor Egan, of Tunstead, just north of Norwich, swam the length of Lake Geneva - the equivalent to swimming the English Channel twice - to raise funds for Tunstead Primary School, the school her daughters attend, and the Jenny Lind Children's Department at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

The 44-year-old took on last month's challenge as part of a relay team with her brother-in-law Pete Gilbert, who lives near Geneva, and two friends.

Inclement weather threatened to hamper their efforts but the trio persevered to complete the swim in 32 and a half hours.

Mrs Egan, who runs her own business with her husband Sean Gilbert, said: “Our first few swims were in very choppy water. Whitlingham Lake at its worst was nothing compared to this and I really couldn't get a rhythm going, battling headlong into waves.

“I felt sea-sick whilst swimming and worse while on the boat.”

Mrs Egan has so far raised more than £1,000 for the Jenny Lind Children's Department and more than £700 for Tunstead Primary School.

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