A Ryde cancer survivor who took part in a charity swim to help him stop smoking 34 years ago still visits the pool daily and is now encouraging other Islanders to take part in Swimathon 2023.
65-year-old Julian, who has successfully been treated for bowel cancer and swims at Ryde’s Waterside Pool, will be raising money for Cancer Research UK and the end-of-life charity Marie Curie in May.
Julian has formed a team with his daughter Alexandra Blount (39), son-in-law Andy (40) and granddaughter Bella (6), to complete the world’s largest annual fundraising swim in May for the 30th time this year.
Speaking ahead of the event, Julian has said:
“I was looking for some motivation to give up smoking 34 years ago and remember seeing a poster advertising Swimathon. I thought that if I could do that, it would help me get fit and stop smoking.
“Because of that, I realised what a great thing Swimathon is for improving your own health and helping to raise money for two fantastic charities. Since then, I haven’t smoked, I swim every day and have completed the challenge almost every year.”
Swimathon takes place from 12th-14th May at pools and venues across the UK. With a variety of distances available – from 400m up to 30.9k – the sponsored event offers a challenge for swimmers young and old, new and experienced.
People can participate individually or as part of a team. Any swimmers who can’t make one of the organised sessions can sign up to MySwimathon, which takes place from 28th April-21st May, and choose a time and venue that suits them.
As well as motivating him to quit smoking and in the last decade, drinking, Julian found swimming helped him to recover from bowel cancer last year.
The technology consultant said:
“I’d had no symptoms at all, no blood in my stools and no pain but because of my age, I was sent a home testing kit by the NHS. After I’d sent my sample back, I received a call to have a colonoscopy at then hospital and my consultant found a tumour in my bowel.
“Being told I had cancer was numbing. I was really concerned about my wife and was so worried about leaving her if the worst happened. I couldn’t bear the thought of it, so I tried to keep positive and as fit as possible to help me recover.
“Because swimming had kept me slim, I was able to have keyhole surgery to remove the tumour and I was back in the pool again two weeks later. My doctors were confident all the cancer had gone but I was also offered chemotherapy just to make sure.
“Unfortunately, I suffered a rare, adverse reaction to my treatment, so they decided to stop the chemo. Thankfully there’s still no evidence of any cancer and I’m looking forward to Swimathon 2023.”
Despite his own Swimathon experience, Julian is keen to emphasise that you don’t need to be a super swimmer to take part.
He said:
“It’s such a fun and simple way to encourage people to dip their toe in the water and get swimming. It really doesn’t matter if you’re not the fittest or the fastest. I hope swimmers of all ages and abilities grab their caps and costumes to help thousands of families across the UK.
“My daughter Alexandra joined me at the age of six when I took part in my first Swimathon and this year my granddaughter will also take part at the same age. Meanwhile, I hope to still be doing it at the age of 90.”
Sign up for Swimathon 2023 at swimathon.org
Upmost respect for you.. keep positive and keep that wonderful smile