TWO Peeblesshire women have completed 22 wild swims in aid of the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.
Friends Cath Shepheard and Lois Hindley began their challenge in March, and finished their final swim on Saturday.
The duo’s support of rugby legend Doddie Weir’s charity comes as Cath herself was diagnosed with a form of MND (motor neurone disease) – Bulbar Palsy – which has caused her to lose her voice and now has difficulty swallowing.
Cath said: “It’s been a complete joy and a pleasure for me and Lois to find ourselves in some stunning settings.
“We have had a lot of fun getting lost in remote spots and then to swim, float and relax, enveloped in nature.
“Our swims have become a peaceful haven at a time when life can be quite stressful”.
The challenge began at Loch Morlich and the Green Lochan near Aviemore, surrounded by the Cairngorms, and was completed at St Mary’s Loch near Selkirk last weekend.
Joining the pair at the loch were 30 friends and family members to celebrate their fundraising efforts. Through their wild swim challenge, Cath and Lois have raised more than £5,000 – five-times more than their original target.
Lois said: “We are so thankful for the support we have had from friends who have swam along with us and for those we have met in our travels and encouraged us and given recommendations for the next swim.”
Although Cath and Lois have completed their 22 swims, their fundraising page will remain open for a few weeks.
To donate, visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/cath-shepheard-and-lois-hindley
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