Challenge Champion
Ten year old Sam Dixon from Stockton on Tees is the first person to complete the Channel Challenge set at three local swimming pools, in a bid to help people keep their new years resolution of getting fit.
The challenge set to customers is to swim the equivalent of the English Channel, or 21 miles, in 112 days. This distance would mean you would have to swim 1344 lengths at Splash or Thornaby Pool, or 1004 lengths at Billingham Forum.
Sam took up the challenge on the 11th January and completed it just 11 days later, swimming the required lengths between all 3 Active Life Centre pools. What makes this amazing feat more spectacular is that in the process he raised £700.00 for Butterwick Hospice through sponsorship.
Sam Dixon, a pupil at Red House School in Norton, said, “I have decided to take on the Channel Challenge 2008 and use my swimming to help raise funds for a very worthy cause, Butterwick Hospice.”
To maximise his sponsorship, Sam noted his progress and raised funds on his web page www.justgiving.com/samdixon1 and on completing the course, Sam added, ‘I've turned around and I'm now swimming back home.’
On successful completion of the gruelling swim Tees Active Managing Director Steve Chaytor presented Sam with his Channel Challenge t-shirt and certificate. Diane Williamson from Butterwick Hospice was also presented with the large cheque from Sam.
If you are up for the Channel Challenge contact Splash on (01642) 527272, Thornaby Pool on (01642) 616727, or Billingham Forum on (01642) 551381 to register.