Helen's swimmers dive in for charity 'swimathon'

Swim teacher organises event after treatment for neurological disorder

A HERMITAGE woman who underwent major brain surgery two years ago has taken part in another sponsored 5km ‘swimathon’ to help raise money for neurosurgical and neurological research projects.

Swimming teacher Helen Shilton joined 35 other swimmers at the event at Northcroft Leisure Centre, Newbury, on Sunday.

Miss Shilton – who teaches swimming at Northcroft, Donnington Valley and Chieveley – had decompression surgery, in 2014, for a condition called Chiari malformation, which occurs when the brain is too big for the skull.

The money raised from the swimathon will go towards research at Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital, where she had her operation.

Speaking to the Newbury Weekly News on Monday, the 46-year-old said: “It went incredibly well and four of the swimmers who took part are either undergoing treatment or have had neurological disorders.

“I want to thank the sponsors, volunteers and everyone who took part and helped to raise the money.

“I just wanted to give something back to the team that gave me back so many parts of my life.

“Before the surgery I was experiencing blackouts and was losing the sensation in my hands and legs. Now I’m on the road to recovery.”

Northcroft Leisure Centre provided use of the pool for the swimmers and also entered a team for the swimathon.

Entrants could complete the 5km swim either as an individual or as a team of up to four members.

Lyra Chan was the fastest person to complete the 5k challenge – in a time of one hour and 25 minutes.

This year the event was sponsored by MDTV, which also had two teams of swimmers competing.

Last year’s event proved to be a success, raising more than £3,000.

Miss Shilton has set up a fundraising page.

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/teams/5KSwim2016