Bedford girl smashes fundraising target with wild water swim

A “keen swimmer” has smashed her fundraising target for homeless charity Shelter after swimming two and a half laps of Box End Park near Kempston.

9-year-old Eloise Perry had a target of £250 on her JustGiving page but has raised over £800 at the time of publication.

“The water when I first got in was quite cold but once I started swimming it was fine,” Eloise told us. “I found it very fun and I loved the support of my friends and family along the way,” she told us.

The swim was her own idea and not part of an organised event, which she organised after being inspired by her cousin Charlie Perry. They recently tacked the ‘Longest Day Golf Challenge’, raising over £2000 for Macmillan, and Eloise decided she wanted to do something herself.

Eloise was joined by her dad who swam alongside her for moral support, which she said helped as “he was always right there by my side”.

Having only taken up the hobby of open water swimming in June, Eloise swam 2070 metres in open water in total for her sponsored swim, taking her 46 minutes.

But, Eloise, who is a member of the Bedford Swim Squad, took it all in her stride. “I wasn’t really tired afterwards”, she added, “I think the sweets helped”

Eloise chose to support Shelter because she has become increasingly aware of the levels of homelessness in Bedford, but she’s already planning her next fundraising feat.

“I am thinking of doing another longer swim next year to raise money for Parkinson’s UK in memory of my grandpa,” she said.

Eloise’s JustGiving page is still open and if you would like to add to her total you can do so at the JustGiving website.