Bournemouth mother & son swim 5k for charity
It's to honour their late husband and father
A mother and son are taking on a 5k swim in Dorset this weekend to raise money for two charities close to their heart.
61-year-old Jan and 31-year-old Thomas lost husband and father Nigel Tiller in 2021 to kidney cancer.
They decided to take on the Swimathon challenge to not only keep Nigel's memory alive, but raise vital funds for Cancer Research UK and the end of life charity Marie Curie.
Swimathon, is the world’s largest annual fundraising swim, which takes place from 26-28 April at venues across the county – including Ferndown Leisure Centre, Rossmore Leisure Centre, Poole Dolphin Leisure Centre, Ringwood Health & Leisure Centre and New Milton Health & Leisure.
Thomas was a competitive swimmer for 13 years and Jan was a swimming teacher so swimming holds a special significance for the duo:
Jan said: "We're just trying to do something that fits in with the things we did with Nigel"
Thomas added: "Dad use to take me to swimming at 5 in the morning every day of the week, come home early from work and take me back to swimming at 4 in the afternoon as well as take me around the country for races so a lot of swimming involved dad. It's just everything we've done as a family"
They hope that sharing their story will encourage people in Dorset to get off the starting blocks and help support the charities close to their heart.
Jan said: “I think about him every single day, no one expects to be widowed in your fifties, you’ve lost your partner, your best friend and part of who you are. Taking part in events like this not just about fundraising, they are also important for us as another means of keeping his memory alive, and we know he would be so proud of us.”
Tom adds, “We are so grateful for the treatment he was able to receive. He was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and was able to live for three and half years after. For us, everything we do now is to help somebody else have that opportunity to receive the treatment that we did.”
Thomas and Jan are encouraging others to get involved in the event which started in 1986 and has raised more than £55m for charity - you can find out more and sign up here.
On their fundraising efforts, Cancer Research UK spokesperson for Dorset, Elisa Mitchell, said:
“From pioneering some of the first chemotherapies, to the development of advanced, targeted treatments and immunotherapy, our research has played a role in around half of the world’s essential cancer drugs. It’s thanks to the generosity and commitment of supporters like Jan and Thomas that we are able to fund the vital treatments of tomorrow. That’s why we’re urging swimmers to dive in, raise money and help us to keep making new discoveries and breakthroughs. Together, we are beating cancer.”
Marie Curie’s Head of Fundraising, England, Jayne Waterhouse, said:
“As Swimathon’s charity partner, the funds that Marie Curie receives through this iconic challenge allow us to continue to support people with any illness they are likely to die from and those close to them.
“Money raised through your sponsored swims help our nurses to continue to deliver care and support, and funds our free Information and Support Services which offer practical and emotional support on everything from day-to-day care to financial information and bereavement support.