Harlow woman completes paddling pool swimming challenge

Karen Sandford from Harlow as she finished her swimming challenge. Credit: Karen Sandford
Karen raised three times her target. Credit: Karen Sandford

A Harlow woman attempting to swim the distance of the English Channel in a paddling pool in her back garden has finished her challenge.

Karen Sandford completed her swim in 62 days, taking her thirty hours and three minutes.

Karen who is a Salvation Army Major and community leader raised fifteen hundred pounds for charity, three times her initial fundraising target.

Before lockdown Karen was a regular cold-water swimmer. She decided this challenge would help her with her mental health after her husband contracted Covid-19.

Karen doing 'lengths' in her six foot paddling pool! Credit: Karen Sandford

Karen decided to use a six foot paddling pool in her garden to swim the distance of the Channel to France.

She began her challenge in April and carried on in all weathers.