Iron woman’s heroic feat

TOUGH GOING: Claire battles her way through choppy waters as rain falls.

STEELY determination and an iron will to succeed have seen a woman from Diggle become the first person in the country to complete a massive charity mission.

Swimming the UK's three biggest lakes and scaling the three highest peaks was the epic test of mind over matter for fund-raising supremo Claire Bennison.

She became the first woman in Britain to complete the challenge solo, clocking a time of 80 hours.

Battling torrential rain and aching limbs, it was the culmination of months of training as she emerged triumphant by completing the descent from Snowdon.

Claire (40) of Huddersfield Road, said: “It was always going to be a huge challenge. It's not just the physical ability – you can train your body to do that. You have to mentally prepare for such long tasks.

“I spent months training. There wasn't much time in my life for anything else.”

Swimming Scotland’s Loch Lomond was the first task, which she completed in 14 hours. It was followed by the 4,409ft peak of Ben Nevis.

The gruelling schedule then saw Claire, a regional director for an asset management firm in Manchester, tackle Scafell Pike, swim Windermere, cross the Bala Lake in Wales and make it to the top of Snowdon.

Grabbing a few hours sleep during journey times, she was backed up by three support teams who accompanied her along the way in a minibus and mobile home.

Claire said: “It was raining the whole way and torrential downpours at times.

“When I finished I was just too tired to feel much. I had 12 hours sleep out of 80 and I just wanted to sit down with a cup of tea.”

Claire’s efforts were all in aid of the Nema foundation, a small charity working with poverty-stricken families in Northern Mozambique.

The mission has currently raised £8,600, enough to send 86 children to secondary school for a year.

Claire, who swam the English channel two years ago, added: “That is the part that really makes me a bit emotional.

“It's nice to be the first to complete it solo, but being able to make that difference in people's lives is amazing.

“So many people have donated. It just shows that no matter what is going on in the world and in the country people still have real heart.”

Claire now plans to visit the village where her fundraising will make a real difference.

A well-earned rest is now in store for Claire, who admits to not even considering what to do next.

Kicking back in her new Diggle home is enough for now.

Help the cause by donating online at:

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ClaireSuperSix