50km before 50

Fiona England has set herself a challenge: 50km in five swims before she turns 50 in December. She launches her 50-50 Outdoor Swimming Challenge this Sunday, July 19, on Brighton beach with a group swim of 50 swimmers from the Brighton-based Pool to Pier open water swimming programme. The 50 swimmers will form the number 50 on the beach before swimming round the Palace Pier.

Fiona is raising money for Amaze, a charity that offers information advice and support to parents and carers of children and young people with special needs or disabilities in Brighton and Hove. Fiona’s son Dan, 11, has Down’s syndrome.
Fiona’s 50-50 swims include a 10km swim along the Sussex coastline; Lake Buttermere; 10km in two days in the open waters of London, including the Serpentine, Hampstead Pond and two lidos; 14km in the Henley Swim Bridge to Bridge in the River Thames between Henley and Marlow; and 10km split between 5km in an open water pool in Dieppe and 5km in Denmark.
If you want to join Fiona in launching her challenge meet at 9am on Sunday 19 July on the beach to the east of the Palace Pier.
More information.