A group of Harrogate wild swimmers is undertaking seven dips in Yorkshire waters in seven days to raise money for the Rob Burrows appeal.
The Dippers, which formed in 2021 and meets regularly to swim, took inspiration from Kevin Sinfield’s 7-in-7-in-7 challenge, which saw the former rugby player complete seven ultra-marathons in seven cities over seven days to raise money for the fight against motor neurone disease (MND).
The group therefore hopes to complete seven swims in seven locations over seven days — and could hardly have chosen a colder week.
One of the dippers, Anna Cade-Smith, told the Stray Ferret:
“I lost my dad to MND last year, which inspired me to do this challenge.
“It’s a real group effort though – I couldn’t do it without the others.”
The group began the challenge last Saturday, in Grassington, and have since faced heavy snowfall and water temperatures as low as three degrees.
The dippers, equipped with wooly hats, have also braved the cold of Pateley Bridge weir, Linton Falls and Appletreewick this week.
Ms Cade-Smith added:
“Some people wear full wetsuits, some wear short ones and some just wear cardigan-like wetsuits.
“We had an aim of swimming for 7 minutes – to fit in with the 777 concept – but we’ve reached up to around 10.
“It obviously depends on individuals’ bodies. We all support each other through it.”
She also said the group, which regularly swims in wild waters, has found the cold temperatures on consecutive days particularly difficult:
“I think the hardest part is, when you get out, you know you have to keep warm and get your clothes dry ready for the next day to do it again.
“It has given us a real insight into what Kevin Sinfield is doing every day.”
“But, the swimmers have all managed to commit despite busy weeks, jobs and this week’s weather!”
The group has so far raised more than £800 as part of the appeal and will complete their final swim tomorrow at Burnsall.
The appeal will go towards the campaign to create a Rob Burrows Centre for Motor Neurone Disease in Leeds.
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Rudding Park 10k race to return in spring
Rudding Park‘s 10k multi-terrain trail race is to return in May after a successful inaugural event last year.
Olympic triathlon gold medallist Jonny Brownlee started last year’s Rudding ParkRace, in which more than 300 runners navigated their way through 18th century parkland at the privately-owned Harrogate resort.
This year’s event, which will be held on May 9, will raise money in support of former Leeds Rhinos player Rob Burrow’s Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Appeal.
There are 450 places available and the entry fee is £25 for affiliated runners and £27 for non-affiliated runner.
Jonny Brownlee at last year’s event.
Nuno César de Sá, Rudding Park hotel manager, said the 2022 race had a “great vibe”, adding:
“Rudding House made the perfect backdrop for the finish line where the prize giving took place as guests enjoyed music, hog roast and refreshments as the sun set.
“We were thrilled to raise over £4,000 for the Queen’s Green Canopy and this year we are super excited to be supporting Rob Burrow and his family whose tireless campaign to raise awareness and funds to support families living with MND is inspiring.”
The start of last year’s race.
Last year’s winner was Nathan Edmonson from Ilkley Harriers, who recorded a time of 34 mins 25 secs. The fastest female was Charlotte Mason from City of York AC in a time of 41 mins 29 secs.
More information is available here.
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A Green Hammerton man with motor neurone disease is to embark on a 100-mile trek in aid of a Leeds hospital charity.
Ian Flatt, 56, was diagnosed with the disease two years ago and is to take on the challenge despite needing a respirator for 16 hours a day.
He is fundraising for a Leeds Hospitals Charity appeal to raise £5 million to build the new Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease in Leeds.
Ian will complete the 100-mile challenge in a series of 18 walks, which include some of his favourite trails around the Hole of Horcum, Rievaulx Moor, Thixendale and finishing with a trek around the dramatic Sutton Bank escarpment.
He said:
“I was inspired to take on another 100-mile challenge to support this important appeal, spearheaded by Rob and his family.
“Such a facility would make a vital difference to people like me and our loved ones. A bespoke care centre that meets the needs of MND sufferers and their families is so needed as MND is such a cruel disease.”
Ian, who has already completed a 100-mile trek with his family this year, was diagnosed with MND in March 2019.
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Speaking to the Stray Ferret in May ahead of his fundraising for Saint Michael’s Hospice, he said news of his diagnosis took its toll on his family at first.
However, despite being told not to plan beyond Christmas that year, he was determined not to let his condition stop him being in the great outdoors.
With the help of Saint Michael’s, he got an off-road wheelchair that allows him to continue enjoying walks with his family.
‘My sense of adventure remains intact’
Now, with the support of his wife Racheal and their two daughters, he began his latest trek yesterday.
He said:
“Motor neurone disease is a disease for which there is no treatment or cure, with 50% of sufferers sadly dying within the first two years of diagnosis.
“Thanks to the critical help, compassion, expertise and kindness provided by the specialist MND team in Leeds, my family and I have maintained our sense of fun, and our wonderful ability to laugh with each other.
“Whilst my mobility, dexterity and respiratory functions are failing, my sense of adventure remains intact.”
You can donate to Ian’s fundraising effort for the Leeds Hospital Charity appeal here.