A Burnham-On-Sea coffee shop barista has swapped lattes for lengths as she completes the final stages of a sponsored swimming challenge for charity.
Sara Ward, who works at Burnham’s Costa Coffee store in the High Street, is raising hundreds of pounds for Diabetes UK by swimming a total of 22 miles over 22 consecutive days at Home Farm Holiday Park’s pool.
She has swum every day since late February, cheered on by her husband David, pictured, and she’s on schedule to raise over £900 when she finishes this Friday.
“I am aching all over, but have really enjoyed it and have had wonderful support from family, customers and friends at Burnham’s Costa store,” she told Burnham-On-Sea.com. Further donations are welcome here.
It comes after David was diagnosed with Diabetes last year. “My husband was taken ill in August 2013, and after the hospital staff saved his life following an eventful 24 hours in A&E, he was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes,” she said.
“He is a fit, young, healthy man, and it scared us both a lot to have this illness thrust up on us. After just a few months he has returned to his normal fit and healthy self, though we are still trying to get our heads around him being completely Insulin dependent.”
“We wouldn’t have been able to do this without the help of everyone we have met during this time, and we have become more than aware that Diabetes is a mindfield. It effects people’s lives beyond all belief, and needs more public understanding, which is why I am doing the swim for Diabetes UK.”
