A DEDICATED woman from Fetcham has raised money for three charities by swimming 75 lengths to mark her 75th birthday.
Janet Baker completed the challenge in 1 hour 50 minutes at Leatherhead Leisure Centre, raising an impressive £2,282 to split between ME Research UK, the Surrey Wildlife Trust's Nower Wood project and the Friends of Teazle Wood.
Mrs Baker said: "I did it last Sunday afternoon and I was pleased because as it was snowing we had the pool almost to ourselves.
"My daughter came along and counted my lengths and we both agreed we had done the right amount."
The Drive resident is a regular swimmer, completing around 40 lengths every week, and has swum her age every birthday since the age of 50.
What she was most impressed by, however, is how much she has been able to raise for charity.
"I am amazed, absolutely staggered," she said. "Quite a few people gave me £75 to split between the three charities, but this morning I received three cheques for £75 for each of them.
"It's absolutely mind-blowing how generous people have been."
So far she has raised £1,098 for ME Research UK, £804 for the Surrey Wildlife Trust and £487 for Friends of Teazle Wood.
Of the three, Mrs Baker said she felt particularly passionate about the cause of ME – myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome – as her daughter is a sufferer.
Mrs Baker said she enjoyed the day and was not particularly fazed by her lengthy swim, adding: "I felt fine, it was no problem.
"I had been working up to it so I didn't do it out of the blue.
"My family came along and afterwards we had a celebratory lunch. It was a good family day.
"I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who sponsored me."
To donate to the ME group, visit www.justgiving.com/JanetBakerME To donate to the Nower Wood project, visit www.justgiving.com/JanetBakerSWT
To donate to Teazle Wood, send a cheque to Janet Baker, 8 The Drive, Fetcham, Leatherhead, KT22 9EN.
