Published: Thursday, 9th October, 2008 7:30am

Swim inspired by her brother’s cancer fight

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A NORTH BERWICK woman inspired by her brother’s courageous fight against cancer is set to push her own body through the pain barrier by swimming non-stop for a minimum of three hours.

Jane Auld, 28, hopes her efforts will raise £500 for Maggie’s Centre at the Western General Hospital, Edinburgh.

The specialist support unit helped John Auld, who contracted cancer of the lymph glands six years ago.

Mr Auld, 32, who also lives in North Berwick, is currently in remission.

His sister, a cash clerk at the local Tesco supermarket, has booked a lane at North Berwick Sports Centre for four hours on November 19 for her marathon swim.

She said: “We were all shocked when John was diagnosed with cancer. But he is a very positive person and has shown great resilience. We are hopeful that he will eventually get the all clear.

“I decided to swim for Maggie’s because the staff there have been fantastic in helping my brother to get to where he is now.

“It’s a very worthwhile charity, funded purely on donations and requires £350,000 a year to be maintained.”

Jane has always been a keen swimmer, and once swam three miles in the old open air pool at North Berwick. But she admits her sponsored swim will be a real test of personal endurance.

“I plan to do the swim without any breaks, using a variety of strokes,” she explained. “I will have use of a float when needed as I hurt my knee few years back from a previous swim.

“I am not sure how many lengths I will manage, but my family will be keeping a record.

“To reach my fundraising target of £500, I must reach the three-hour mark.”

John, a greenkeeper at Luffness, plans to join his sister in the pool for the closing stages of her swimathon.

He said: “It’s a great idea and I’m absolutely thrilled that Jane is doing this. It was hard going for me when I was first diagnosed, but with Jane’s support and the help of Maggies Centre I have made good progress.”

A bucket collection will be taken at the sports centre on the day of the swimathon.

Donations can be made to www.justgiving.com/janesswimathon.