Fighting fit mum Lynn Glen took the plunge with a group of intrepid friends to help raise funds to support the vital work of a Loch Lomond rescue service.
Lynn, a member of the open water swimming group at Cameron House joined forces with teammates Elizabeth Dorrian, Jacqueline McFarlane King and Sharon McCreary to take part in a charity moonlight swim on Loch Lomond to mark the official start of winter last month.
They were joined at the Cameron House side of the beach for the event, organised to boost the Loch Lomond Rescue Boat, by Duck Bay open water swimming group members who took part in the event simply for fitness.
Challenge organiser Lynn told the Lennox: “We were in the water for about half an hour. Some close to the beach were making sure that everyone was okay.
“The strongest ones went out first so everyone was swimming behind them.”
Asked about her motivation behind the venture, she said: ”I had started doing swimming in the loch in July and have just completed 100 days of open water swimming in a row. I go every morning at 6.30 and decided it would be nice to do it in the dark.
“We had candles on the beach, a camp fire with soup, fairy lights, home made cakes and tea and my husband Ross brought his drone to film it.
“It was exhilarating in the pitch black because you can’t see anything but we were so comfortable in the water and we had hats with lights so we could see where we were going.
“It gave us a buzz because it was something else – the moon never appeared but the water was perfect and it was so calm and smooth. Open water swimming is so good for your wellbeing.
“I have kids and I’m a childminder so that half hour I spend in the morning is my time. It’s great to have adult conversation.”
The stamina-sapping venture has raised a whopping £832 for the Loch Lomond Rescue Boat.
The total was boosted by Robert Ward who was in another group swimming that night. He went into work with Excel Maintenance at Finnart Ocean Terminal the following day, collecting £70 through workmates.
The rescue boat has been in demand this year and was sadly involved over a tragic weekend in July with the loss of four deaths at Balloch and Ardlui.
Lynn added: “The volunteers are out there day in and day out. Elizabeth’s son Paul is a volunteer with the Rescue Boat and that gave us a reason to help them.
“My friend Paul Connell was the cox in the boat for years.
“Because of the deaths we know how hard it is for the people on the boat and we are over the moon with the money raised. It was way more than they thought.”
The women are planning another moonlight swim for their Christmas night out on December 19 when a full moon is expected. But this will be a fun challenge, not a charity event.
