An NHS worker from the city is to swim three lakes in memory of her sister a decade on from her death from an undiagnosed heart condition while out for a run.
Katie Taylor-Rossall will dive into Coniston, Ullswater and Windermere to swim a total of 24-miles.
Her challenge, which aims to raise £10,000 for charity, is to remember her sister Claire Taylor who died aged just 27 from Sudden Arrhythmogenic Death Syndrome (SADS).
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Katie, who grew up in Whittle-le-Woods, Chorley, said: “My sister Claire’s tragic death 10 years ago while she was simply out running devastated our whole family. Claire was a secondary school teacher, engaged, excitedly planning her wedding and looking forward to a bright future.
“Losing her so suddenly left us heartbroken, with so many questions about how and why this could happen.”
Katie, who works as a programme manager for the East Lancashire Hospitals Trust and now lives in Lostock Hall, is undertaking the Lake District swim challenge for the charity Cardiac Risk In The Young (CRY).
Every week in the UK at least 12 fit and healthy young people – aged under 35 – died suddenly from a previously undiagnosed heart condition – as Claire did.
Katie said: “CRY helped us piece together the answers we desperately needed. They supported us through the pathology process, offered peer-to-peer bereavement support so we could talk to someone who had stood where we were standing, and carried out extensive family testing to answer the terrifying question of whether this could happen again. Their ongoing research gives us hope that fewer families will endure what we did. My determination to support their work is just as strong today as it was ten years ago.”
Training for her swims, which will take place between 20 June and 5 September, began in September last year.
Describing herself previously as a ‘leisure swimmer’, Katie said she is now swimming at least two to three times a week in preparation.
She said: “This is undoubtedly the biggest physical challenge I’ve ever set myself. Swimming a total of 24 miles across three lakes is daunting, but I’m committed to giving everything I’ve got. My lifestyle has changed so much during training and I now feel fitter, stronger and more focused than ever, which has been an unexpected but very welcome bonus!”
Friends and family of Katie’s are also undertaking their own challenges to contribute towards the £10kfor Claire fund.
Her friend Nathan is doing the Malaga Marathon, her friend Christina the Derby Half Marathon, Katie’s cousin Rachel is walking the Offa’s Dyke Path and Katie herself is doing the Chester Half Marathon. Katie’s parents are holding a cheese and wine pub quiz later in the year too.
Katie said: “The pain of losing Claire will always be with us, and nothing can change that. But if these challenges help raise awareness and vital funds for CRY’s research and screening programme – and ultimately protect young lives – then that’s a legacy truly worthy of Claire.”
Donations in Claire’s memory and in support of Katie’s swim challenge can be made via Justgiving with nearly £3,000 raised so far.
Support and information about SADS can be found via the CRY website along with how to book a test heart screening near you.
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