Determined young swimmer Joseph
Barron notched up 100 lengths of his local pool against the clock
to raise money to help fight women’s cancers.
Northallerton Swimming Club member Joseph, 11,
from Northallerton, decided to tackle the 2.5km challenge at the
town’s Hambleton Leisure Centre, to help boost the fundraising
efforts of his mother, Sarah Barron, who has so far raised almost
£1,000 for the cause.
Joseph, a year seven pupil at Allertonshire
School, hopes to raise £500 after last week’s swim [MON
10th]. He said: “I finished my 100 lengths just as the
swimmers were turning up for club training. There was lots of
cheering and support, which helped me along – I did it in 45
minutes.
Mum Sarah has – together with friends and
other family members – undertaken several fundraising feats in
recent years to raise funds for various charities. This year she
signed up for the Women V Cancer Cycle India challenge, which will
see her cycle 350km across Rajasthan in India in October 2012.
“When I go, it will be seven years almost to
the day since my Mum died from breast cancer,” she said. “I’m doing
this for her. I’m also doing it for other people close to me who
are currently fighting the cancer battle – whether it be breast,
ovarian or cervical – and for those who have fought it already and
have kicked it into touch.”
Mum-of-two Mrs Barron, a former Durham
University human resources manager who is currently studying for an
MA in her field, is currently just over a third of the way towards
her £2,800 target.
In May, she rode 173 miles coast to coast from
Morecombe Bay to Bridlington; her five-year-old son Daniel raised
£105 with a plant sale in the front garden in June; in July, Sarah
rode to the Tan Hill Inn and back. She also organised successful
barbecue and curry nights, while a golf day, craft fairs, bag
packing and a spring ball are still to come.
Sarah is fundraising and cycling with
Northallerton friends Claire Ingham and Louise Murray, who are also
part of the Cycle India group.
Women V Cancer is a series of women-only cycle
challenges in aid of three British charities – Breast Cancer Care,
Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust and Ovarian Cancer Action.
To find out more or to donate to that
challenge, see www.justgiving.co.uk/sarahbarron.
Congratulating Joseph, club coach John
Richards said: “It was great to see his fellow swimmers cheering
him on as he topped off this excellent achievement.”
Northallerton Amateur Swimming Club – which
celebrates its 50th birthday this year, holds training sessions on
Sunday, Monday and Wednesday evenings at Northallerton’s Hambleton
Leisure Centre. It nurtures swimmer from as young as six up to
their late teens. For more details, contact nasc.otters@gmail.com or call
01609 760059.