Friday 30 September 2011

In memory of Grant - World Record

On Wednesday the 28th of September I broke the 16year old world record held by Shelley Taylor- Smith for the 45km circumnavigation of Manhattan Island. The swim is dedicated to my cousin Grant Bates, he passed away 10days ago after a short battle with cancer. Grant was a wonderful man, a great father, husband, doctor and filled with seemingly boundless energy and enthusiasm. He accompanied me on my first ever marathon swim, a double crossing of lake Windermere in 2009. It was a challenging swim for the crew who had to row a traditional heavy wooden boat next to me all through the night, I don't think Grant stopped smiling once! In honour of Grant I have been fundraising for the SharkTrust, an environmental charity Grant was particularly supportive of. This one is for you Grant, thanks for the memories.