Hotel worker swims 1,000 lengths for charity

Macdonald Portal Hotel, Golf and Spa worker Simon Stokes swam 1,000 lengths of the hotel’s pool to raise money for Claire House Children’s Hospice.

23-year-old Simon completed the challenge in 10 hours and 33 minutes, including occasional stops for a drinks break.

Simon, a fitness instructor at the hotel’s leisure club, was inspired by David Walliams’ 140-mile swim along the River Thames for Sport Relief.

Simon said: “I just feel like I had got to a certain point in my life and wanted to give something back. “After watching David swim along the Thames I really wanted a new challenge, something I could really focus on.

“I was always quite good at swimming so decided to do this and couldn’t think of a better charity to support than Claire House Children’s Hospice, who helped a young neighbour of mine who sadly lost her battle with Leukaemia.

“I took a week off before the challenge so that I could prepare mentally.

“I was a little disappointed with my time. I wanted to complete it in less than nine hours, which I was on course for at 800 lengths but then my shoulder seized up so I had to switch to breaststroke. However, I am pleased to have just finished the challenge – after about 700 metres I was [in] completely unchartered territory so I didn’t know how I would cope.”

Simon continues to collect sponsorship money and is hoping to present the hospice with a cheque for £1,000 in the next few weeks.

General manager at Macdonald Portal, Hotel and Golf Sacha Cauwels-Wigan added: “The Macdonald Group is always looking at ways in which it can support its local charities and we encourage our teams to do the same.

“We are all extremely proud of what Simon has achieved and will fully support him in any other fundraisers he decides to take on in the future.”

If you would like to donate any money towards Simon’s fundraising efforts then call Macdonald Portal Hotel, Golf and Spa on 0844 879 9082