Wearing only swimsuits and hats, six brave NI women swam 12 hours in freezing conditions across the English Channel for charity

By Carmel Robinson
Published 20th Jun 2024, 11:59 BST
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In chilly waters of 14c wearing only swimsuits and hats, six brave NI women spend 12 hours swimming the English Channel – and all in aid of charity.

Portadown girl Andrea Judge-Guy, plus friends Grace McLaughlin, Nuala Glynn, Jane Reilly, her daughter Anna Reilly and Penny Nicholson took part in the mammoth challenge on June 12 swimming from Dover to the north coast of France. They all hail from various parts of NI including Bangor, Groomsport, Ballyholme and Newtownards.

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Swimmers, Andrea Judge-Guy, Grace McLaughlin, Nuala Glynn, Penny Nicholson, Jane Reilly and her daughter Anna departed from Belfast on 10 June and made their way to the south coast of England to swim the English Channel in aid of charity. They are all from different parts of NI including Portadown, Bangor, Groomsport , Ballyholme and Newtownards.Swimmers, Andrea Judge-Guy, Grace McLaughlin, Nuala Glynn, Penny Nicholson, Jane Reilly and her daughter Anna departed from Belfast on 10 June and made their way to the south coast of England to swim the English Channel in aid of charity. They are all from different parts of NI including Portadown, Bangor, Groomsport , Ballyholme and Newtownards.
Swimmers, Andrea Judge-Guy, Grace McLaughlin, Nuala Glynn, Penny Nicholson, Jane Reilly and her daughter Anna departed from Belfast on 10 June and made their way to the south coast of England to swim the English Channel in aid of charity. They are all from different parts of NI including Portadown, Bangor, Groomsport , Ballyholme and Newtownards.

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They are raising money for The National Society For Phenylketonuria (NSPKU) as one of their team members suffers from this metabolic condition. So far they have raised £1,745.

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Calling themselves ‘Misneach’ – the Irish word for courage – the women swam bare-skinned and fearless (no wetsuits as per the the rules of the Channel Swimming Association which state that swimmers are only allowed to wear one cap, a pair of goggles and one swimsuit that doesn’t go past the shoulders or below the knees).

The sextet began their gruelling swim at 3:25am on the morning of 12 June and endured the 14C waters for the next 12 hours and 3 minutes in their quest to reach to coast of France.

They were guided by the crew of Louise Jane Charters across the Channel who navigated a safe path for them, avoiding the many vessels using the waterway.

The English Channel is known as one of the most dangerous bodies of water to cross and is notorious for unpredictable weather. The women, however, were encouraged by a settled day of weather to help them along their way.

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Penny, who is 20 and studying at Stranmillis to be a primary school teacher, was diagnosed by a heel-prick at birth with this condition which means she cannot metabolise phenylalanine, an amino acid found in protein foods. If these protein levels build up they can be toxic to the brain.

Andrea said the friends, who regularly swim together and compete in other events, decided to take on the notorious 21 mile stretch of the English Channel to help raise funds for the charity

The team having already completed the North Channel have began planning their next challenge and who knows where it will take them.

Related topics:PortadownFrance