'I did it for mum' Hannah swims for Rosemere after Preston mum diagnosed with breast cancer

Hannah Fingleton is two miles in to seven miles of open water swimming over the next few weeks to raise funds for Rosemere Cancer Foundation in support of the roughly one in seven UK women, who will develop breast cancer over their lifetime.

27-year-old Hannah, a former Kirkham Grammar School pupil and now trainee solicitor now based in London, was inspired to take on the challenge after mum Ann, of Fulwood, Preston, was diagnosed with breast cancer this time last year.

Ann had to undergo chemotherapy at Rosemere Cancer Centre followed by surgery at Chorley and South Ribble Hospital and radiotherapy back at Rosemere before being given the all clear earlier this year.

Hannah said: “Mum became interested in open water swimming while I was at university. I’ve always liked swimming and water sports so when I joined a new gym which had a pool following mum’s all clear, I decided to begin training for a challenge that I could use to give something back for the treatment she had received and to help other women facing similar diagnoses in the future.”

Hannah took part in last month’s Lake Windermere Great North Swim, completing two miles in one hour, 20 minutes and boosting her donation total via her online fundraising page to £2,340 of her £3,000 target.

Now Hannah, who was cheered on in Cumbria by mum and boyfriend Freddie among other friends and family, has a one mile Cornish sea swim from Padstow to Rock this coming weekend (Sunday, 12 th July), a two and a half mile swim of Rutland Water reservoir in August and in September, a one and a half mile swim of the purpose built rowing lake, Lake Eton Dorney in Buckinghamshire, which was used as the venue for the London 2012 Olympic Games rowing and canoe sprint races.

Hannah, who will be joined in the water for her Cornish swim by school friend Rob Ellis, formerly of Preston but who now lives in Bristol, added: “Just one length of front crawl left me breathless when I started my training. It’s been hard work but fun getting to the point where I can take on these swims. I’m very grateful to everyone who has supported me.”

Hannah Leahy, fundraising assistant for Rosemere Cancer Foundation, said: “Well done to Hannah on successfully completing the Lake Windermere leg of her swim challenge. We wish her the very best of luck for her three other swims. We are extremely grateful to Hannah for choosing to support us. Her donation will go towards projects supporting local women through their breast cancer treatment journey.”

Rosemere Cancer Foundation works to bring world class cancer treatments and services to cancer patients from throughout Lancashire and South Cumbria being treated at Rosemere Cancer Centre, which is the region’s specialist cancer treatment and radiotherapy centre at the Royal Preston Hospital, and also at another eight local hospital cancer units across the two counties, including that at Chorley and South Ribble Hospital.

The charity funds the latest in cutting-edge equipment, clinical research, staff training and innovative services and initiatives that the NHS cannot afford in order to make patients’ cancer journey more effective, comfortable and stress- free. For further information and to donate, visit www.rosemere.org.uk