Landscape architect Kate Richards has completed the final instalment of her Aquasphere Chillswim Lakes Triple Crown Challenge.
Kate, who had already swum 7.5 miles across Ullswater and 5.25 miles across Coniston, was ecstatic to complete the 11-mile length of Windermere.
She has raised almost £1,000 for Surfers Against Sewage in the process.
Kate from Mold, said: “I’m really proud of myself for completing what was an extremely gruelling challenge. Swimming can seem like a lonely sport, especially when you’re in the water and you can’t talk to anyone.
“Despite this, I hugely appreciate all the support I’ve received before and after every event, in all its forms. I’ve had lovely messages from friends and family, words of advice from my lane partner Derek, to my parents-in-law looking after our dog Tenby while I drag the family up the M6 again.
“The biggest mention goes of course to my husband Simon who, ever since I first considered swimming in the River Dee 11 years ago, has walked, cycled and even kayaked alongside me, carried my bags and always believed in me.
“He patiently accepts that I enjoy leaving the house at an ungodly hour to swim in the pool and then smell of chlorine for the rest of the day.
“I’m so grateful to all those who kindly donated to my fundraiser for Surfers Against Sewage – a very apt cause given the recent news about sewage discharges into Windermere.”
Training for the challenge involved practising in her local swimming pool and open water swimming at Park in the Past near Hope, and Llyn Padarn in Eryri National Park.
Earlier this month, Kate, who is chair of Landscape Institute Wales, was promoted to become a director of Land Studio – a landscape architecture, engineering and ecology design studio based in Chester.
