North Stifford woman set to take on swimming challenge for Bowel Cancer charity

ANNA Ellis from North Stifford is taking on the challenge to swim 15km throughout the month of August to raise money for Bowel Cancer UK.

Anna’s husband died from bowel cancer, so she decided to take part in Swim15 to raise awareness of the disease and its symptoms.

Every 15 minutes someone is diagnosed with bowel cancer in the UK, making it the fourth most common cancer.

Bowel Cancer UK’s Swim15 fundraising event takes place in August and asks people to get sponsored to complete their own swimming challenge that incorporates the number 15. Whether that’s 15 laps a day, swimming for 15 days or racking up 15km throughout the month, each fundraiser can set their own goals that suits their fitness. The funds raised will help stop people dying of bowel cancer by raising awareness of the disease, and funding vital services and lifesaving research.

Anna, aged 45 said, “Raising awareness of bowel cancer is very close to my heart after my husband Jason Ellis passed away at the young age of 53. Jason went through treatment and operations and fought hard to beat this horrible disease. If we’d been more aware of the symptoms and signs and sought out medical help sooner, our story might have had a different ending. Raising awareness is so important as it could potentially prevent a family going through the heartbreak that we have had and continue to endure.

“When I saw the social media posts regarding the Swim15 fundraising campaign I just knew I had to take part. I chose to swim 15km as I knew this would be a challenge for me. I’m doing it with our teenage daughters as it is during the school summer holidays.”

Luke Squires, Director of Fundraising at Bowel Cancer UK, says: “Someone is diagnosed with bowel cancer every 15 minutes in the UK, but it’s treatable and curable if diagnosed early. The funds raised by our Swim15 challenge will help us continue to save lives and improve the quality of life of everyone affected by the disease. We are so grateful to Anna for taking part in Swim15 and really inspired by her for speaking so openly about her husband’s diagnosis and treatment. Make a splash this August and join us in helping to create a future where nobody dies of bowel cancer.”

Are you ready to take the plunge? Whether it’s in open water or a pool, grab your goggles and help stop people dying of bowel cancer. Sign up today for Bowel Cancer UK’s Swim15 challenge and get a free swimming badge: bowelcanceruk.org.uk/Swim15