A woman from Watford has become the first person with a complete spinal cord injury to swim the English Channel without a wetsuit.
Paula Craig MBE marked 21 years since the accident that caused her to be paralysed from the waist down by joining a relay team aiming to swim the Channel.
The six-person squad, nicknamed the Aspire Mutts, set off from Dover at 2.48am on Thursday, August 4, and arrived in France 14 hours and three minutes later.
Paula completed a 22-mile swim and helped to raise money for Aspire, an organisation that aids those who have suffered a spinal cord injury. Paula, a former Metropolitan Police officer was knocked off her bike in May 2001 while training for the GB national triathlon team.
Following the accident, Paula was supported by Aspire and says: “The support and opportunities provided by Aspire in the days and months after my injury were invaluable in terms of my mental and physical health.”
She later competed in the London Marathon while using a wheelchair, becoming the first person to have both run and pushed the route.
She also raced internationally as a wheelchair triathlete and maintained her career as a police officer, becoming a detective inspector and working in the murder squad, internal affairs, and counterterrorism. In 2005, she was given an MBE for her contributions to policing.
Speaking before the swim, Paula said: “Twenty-one years ago this year, my life changed in an instant when I was hit by a car whilst out cycling, leaving me paralysed from the waist down. As a police officer and marathon runner, I had no idea what the future would hold but, thanks to Aspire and the amazing work they do, I was able to return to both and to live life to the full.
“To mark the anniversary of the accident and to celebrate my achievements of the past 20 years, I will be taking on the waves to raise much-needed funds so that Aspire can continue its vital work.”
After the swim, Paula added: “I’m exhausted but relieved and excited that we made it to France. The team were incredible, supporting me all the way.”
At the time of writing the team has raised more than £24,000. To donate, please visit justgiving.com/fundraising/paulacraig
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