A mile of GOOD DEED - we can't all say we've done that today

I’ve been down at the Great North Swim today, reporting for Lakeland Radio. I was on my own so it was a little nerve racking at first if I’m honest but it wasn’t long before I got in to it.

It’s amazing to see how people will run three mile to get away from a microphone when you ask if you can speak to them, yet they’ll jump in the lake and swim a mile in open water. Not just open water, may I add, it looked freezing and half of those who had just taken part looked close to acquiring frost bite! I take my hat off to them though because it’s all for such a great cause.

There was loads going on down at the Lake, across from the Low Wood at the Watersports centre. There was a hamster-wheel type attraction where people got inside and had to run as fast as they could and a woman on a mic was screaming and supporting whoever was inside but I didn’t get chance to figure out exactly what was going on. There were talking about times and speed so there must have been some contraption which measured the speed or turns of the wheel which made it in to a competition! The kids really seemed to enjoy it anyway!

There was also free face painting, free powerade for the swimmers and various stalls and food stands. All in all it seemed a great day out whether you were taking part, supporting somebody who was swimming or just looking around to see what was going on.

The thing that got me most was the showers which were provided, with a large, in-your-face sign warning that no showergel or shampoo should be taken in. I don’t really know how to describe it, or where to start really! There were metal bars creating an arch and there was a waterproof cover over the top, so it was like a mini doorless barn and you could just walk straight through from one end to the other. The water was pretty feeble, you could get more power squeezing one of the free bottles of water on yourself! Cold water seemed to trickle from a small pipe which was wrapped around one of the top metal bars and didn’t look use for anybody!

I found it quite emotional because people were taking part for such great causes and charities. Each wave which went in to the water had to do a warm up and then ‘We are the Champions’ was played as they entered the murky lake to do their mile of good deed.

Well done to all who took part today, yesterday and Friday! 

Kacee xxx