22 miles, 1416 lengths or the equivalent of the English Channel. Whichever way you choose to say it, that’s what Frances Lloyd, Office Manager at Build Check and close friend Judith Webb have achieved as part of Swim22, a challenge to raise money for Diabetes UK.

Frances and Judith meet twice a week at their local pool to swim together, so when Frances heard about the Swim22 challenge she asked Judith if she would be up for the challenge.

Frances and Judith set themselves just 12 weeks to complete the 22 mile swim. They have raised more than £1000 in sponsorship so far by completing the challenge ahead of schedule in just eight weeks – that’s 177 lengths a week – at Handy Cross Sports Centre in High Wycombe.

Frances says: “When I first suggested the challenge to Judith, I don’t think she thought I was serious and when we started this back in February I wasn’t sure how we would manage it.  There were no special lanes and despite the size of the challenge, we managed it against tidal waves from aqua aerobics and slaloming amongst leisurely swimmers at our local pool.

“The charity is personal to me. I’ve been Diabetic for 46 years and manage my condition with insulin. I doubt I would have been confident enough to jump in the pool 3 to 4 times a week to swim all these lengths if it wasn’t for my Animas Insulin Pump. I can check my glucose levels, twiddle a few buttons to decrease the insulin dosage and know that I’m safe to jump in.

“We’re so grateful to everyone for their encouragement and support over the last 8 weeks and for their generous donations to our Just Giving page.”

For more information on the challenge visit: http://www.diabetes.org.uk/Get_involved/Fundraising-events/Swim22/

To make a donation visit http://www.justgiving.com/Frances-Lloyd1