Mum from Cornwall to swim 24km over 24 beaches for charity
Lauren Turner is raising money for Truro-based ShelterBox
After months of training, 28 swimming costumes and a tub of peanut butter – a mum from Truro is ready to swim 24km across 24 different beaches in Cornwall.
37-year-old Lauren Turner will be taking on the challenge on Saturday 5th September to raise money for ShelterBox.
Lauren works as a training officer at the international disaster relief charity which is based in Truro.
The challenge will take her from first light at Polkerris Beach in St Austell Bay, to a guided solar lantern finish at last light on Gyllyngvase Beach in Falmouth.
Originally planning a 24-hour swim challenge at Bude Sea Pool, lockdown put a sudden halt to Lauren’s training in March. Undeterred, she came up with a new plan that she could train for once the beaches reopened, but without access to a swimming pool.
"Initially I lost all motivation – the whole world was in turmoil and I didn’t want to do anything. But now Covid and the impact of it all, especially on the communities that ShelterBox supports, has only increased my drive to fundraise and train. My family is so important to me and I can’t imagine losing everything through disaster and then also facing a global pandemic."
Lauren Turner
The furthest Lauren has swum before is 10km, but months of gruelling training have prepared her for Saturday’s mammoth effort. Each weekend has involved swims at Cornwall’s beaches, with her husband and son kayaking alongside her for support.
And she’s been preparing herself for the fatigue she’ll face, swimming late in the evening and then again early the next morning when already tired. The training will be vital: with 10km considered a swimming marathon, Lauren’s 24km-challenge will be the equivalent of swimming 2.5 marathons in one day.
"I am currently experiencing daily weather anxiety as this is out of our control. I also think that the cold (swimming for 9 hours with no wetsuit and limited breaks) will be tough. One of my personal challenges will definitely be the jellyfish, I have been carrying out intense jellyfish training but they still make me jump and are far too alien for my liking!"
Lauren Turner
Lauren is inviting people to greet her on the final stretch at Gyllyngvase Beach, Falmouth. Friends, family and well-wishers will paddle out on SUPs and kayaks, guiding her into shore with ShelterBox’s distinctive solar lights.
Lauren is expected at the beach at about 8.30pm on Saturday, but please follow her social channels for up to date tracking.
She is starting at 6am at Polkerris, then going onto Par Beach, Spit Beach, Carlyon Bay, Porthpean, Duporth, Charlestown, Pentewan, Mevagissey, Portmellon, Gorran Haven, Little Perhaver, Great Perhaver, Caerhays, Portholland, West Portholland, Carne, Pendower, Portscatho, Porthcurnick, Loe Beach, Restronguet Weir, Swanpool and finishing at Gyllyngvase at around 8.30pm.
Follow Lauren’s progress on the day at www.instagram.com/swim4shelterbox and support her incredible fundraising effort at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Swim4ShelterBox