A WOMAN from Culcheth has vowed to swim the Channel in the name of charity – espite having a double hip replacement just two years ago.
Suzanne Crippin, 28, recently completed two big swims – the Great North Swim in the Lake District and the Great Manchester Swim in Salford – to raise money for The Richard Sharp Sensory Library. The project is a tactile library, which is made up of themed boxes full of different textured items, such as a Christmas box with tinsel, crackers, baubles and more.
The boxes are designed to stimulate communication and memories for people who are both deaf and blind, in memory of Richard Sharp, who suffered from MELAS syndrome, a rare condition which took his sight, hearing and eventually his life.
Suzanne (pictured), who had to have a double hip replacement after developing Avascular Necrosis, said: “I met Sarah Sharp, Richard’s widow, not long after the operation and was really touched by her determination and positivity.
“I got into swimming as part of my physiotherapy after having my hip operation and, after hearing about Sarah’s project realised I could use my passion for it to make a difference.”
She is also due to take part in The Great London Swim at Docklands in preparation for her end goal of eventually swimming the Channel.
Suzanne is taking her training seriously, practicing six days a week for at least an hour racking up two to three miles per day.
“I’m on a mission to raise as much as I can for the sensory library; I’ve already managed to raise over £1100 in just a few weeks.
“I plan to swim all five locations in the Great Swim Series next year and hopefully once I get to that stage I’ll be ready to reach my end goal and finally swim the Channel. I’m determined to get there!” added Suzanne.
The sensory library will be based in Northwich, at deafness charity Deafness Support Network’s offices.
Suzanne aims to swim the Channel
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