A Watford swimmer has used his beloved hobby for good after swimming what is equivalent to the height of Big Ben a whopping 60 times to raise money for charity.
Paul Cuthbert first started swimming at Watford Swimming Club (WSC) in 1973 when he was just eight years old. He has spent 52 years with the club, reaching the National Championships as a swimmer, playing water polo, and taking on numerous roles to support WSC, including being president three times.
He is now a keen part of the Masters team.
To celebrate his 60th birthday, Paul swam 60 100m lengths at Watford Leisure Centre – Woodside on Wednesday, February 19, to raise money for Alzheimer’s Society. The swim was dedicated to his father John, who passed away last year.
Speaking to WATFORDnews, Paul said: “I train three to four times a week, so although it sounds like a lot, it wasn’t like waking up and doing a 6k. Some of my old teammates came down to cheer me on, and it was a really good night!”
Paul’s 11-year-old son Giorgio, who is in the Development Squad at WSC, kicked off the event and swam the first 100m. It took Paul just two hours to complete the challenge, with other members of the club joining him along the way.
Fellow Masters swimmer Honor Davies was Paul’s pace swimmer for the challenge.
Paul continued: “WSC supported me all the way and it was such a huge success. The club has been a massive part of my life, and it was such a lovely thing to do for charity. My dad would have been so pleased.”
After the challenge, Paul and his fellow swimmers enjoyed “refuelling” at a local pub with a well-deserved cold pint.
Paul has raised more than £1,200 for the charity. You can donate at www.shorturl.at/IClrM
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