Karen Sandford, Harlow Salvation Army Major and community leader, has completed the incredible challenge of swimming the width of the Channel – 21 miles plus a little extra for luck – in a paddling pool in her back garden and raised over £1,500 for charity in the process. Karen completed the monumental feat in 62 days, swimming for a total of 30 hours and three minutes.
In pre-lockdown days, Karen was a regular cold-water swimmer at Redricks Lake and wanted a challenge that would not only continue to help her manage her mental health but help relieve stress and refocus her mind during a difficult period which saw loved ones being diagnosed with the virus and long-standing members of her community pass away, and do some good for her community too. In a moment of inspiration, Karen set her sights on France and set up a 6 foot paddling pool in her garden before tethering herself to the washing line and beginning to swim the Straight of Dover – without ever leaving Harlow!
Beginning the challenge in April, Karen faced all the infamous English weather had to throw at her – with pool temperatures measuring from 11 to 23 degrees coupled with rain, wind and sunshine (sometimes all on the same day!). But, despite it all, Karen persevered and finally ‘hit land’ this June. Along the way Karen has been fiercely supported by friends, family and the local community she is an essential part of. Initially Karen set out to raise £500 but she has since tripled that and to date has raised over £1,500.
The money will go to the Harlow Salvation Army Corps so it can continue to help some of the most vulnerable people in society who need support now more than ever. From running food banks and checking up on people who live alone, to offering counselling and supporting NHS isolation units, Salvation Army churches all over the country are responding to the crisis in dozens of different ways but need support from people who are able to donate urgently.
On completing the challenge, Karen said: “I can’t believe it – when I first started swimming in the pool I only wanted to swim 10km – I’ve now completed over 34km!
“For us, lockdown began a little earlier than for everyone else because my husband had symptoms of the virus. It was a real challenge not to be out and about meeting, seeing, and helping not only members of our congregation but the wider community, as well as regularly swimming with Team Pants at Redricks Lake. But since then my husband has recovered and we’re back on the ground being able to help those who need our support the most during these difficult times.
“Swimming the width of the Channel in what is a fairly small pool tethered to my washing line has certainly been a challenge and had its ups and downs. But I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported me, and to everyone who has donated to the cause. We’ve raised a fantastic amount of money which will such a help as we’re still unable to raise money through our normal routes, such as renting our hall space. We can’t wait until we’re able to be reunited with everyone hopefully soon but until then, thank you.”
You can still donate to Karen’s Just Giving page to help her raise even more funds for the Salvation Army by visiting: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/harlow-corps-the-salvation-army1?. To find out more about Karen’s daily experience, you can also read her blog which she started in order to share her experience with others: https://karensandford.blogspot.com/
