At a recent meeting, Biddulph Rotary was entertained by Jennie Cook, who gave a fascinating talk about her intention to swim across the English Channel.
Jennie, who was a member of Congleton Swimming Club from the age of 7, and is now training, and coaching, at Biddulph Leisure Centre, has had a long-time ambition to swim the channel.

The swim is an event organised by COSMIC to raise money for the charity which supports new mothers and families who have to leave their new bourn babies in hospital for further intensive medical attention.
Each of the swimmers is hoping to raise in excess of £2000, and it is hoped that the people of Biddulph and Congleton will donate generously using the ‘Just Giving’ Web page, as well as other local organisations.

The swim will consist of a relay of 6 swimmers being sponsored to swim for an hour each at a time, to eventually cover the full distance, Each swimmer is expected to do 3 or 4 hour long swims. The rules are very strict in that the swimmers must only wear normal swimming gear (no wet or dry suits), must not touch the accompanying boat during their turns and must stick rigidly to the timing and sequence of the schedule. The volunteers have had several practice sessions and Jennie is the only woman to have been chosen as one of the team. The timing of the swim is dependent on the weather condition, but is expected to take place in early September.

President Mike Broom of Biddulph Rotary presented a cheque for £500, to go to the charity.