Local Swimming Veteran To Compete For Charity

A 72 year-old man from Great Haseley, who has won several International swimming medals, is to compete yet again in the Butlins annual Swimathon.
Richard Harding told ThameNews.Net: “On Saturday next, March 19, I shall be attempting to do the full 5000 metres again as I near my 72nd birthday.
“This year’s Swimathon falls on the 50th anniversary of my Mother’s refusal (I was a minor at the time) to let a surgeon remove my left foot after it was crushed in a motorcycle accident. Still a funny shape, it does remarkably well and should, once again, complete this swim without any problem!”
Last year, Richard came seventh in his class, in the World Masters Swimming Competition in Ricciione, in Italy, where he finished 7th in the 100 metres backstroke and 8th in the 200 metres backstroke in the hotly-contested 70-74yrs age group.
This time, the major Good Cause is the Children’s Charity NCH which supports over 140,000 children, young people and their families including those who have been affected by poverty, disability and abuse.
Richard, who has been a swimmer all his life, belongs to the 300-strong Spencer Swim Team and incidentally, back in March 2004, won a medal in the National Swimathon, a charity event which raised fund for Macmillan Nurses.
Photo: Richard Harding of Great Haseley, wearing the two medals he won in the World Masters Swimming Competitiion in Italy.