St Albans PC swims Thames for charity

SWAPPING a swimming pool for the less than salubrious waters of the Thames proved an exhilarating experience for fitness fanatic Pc Carol Crawley. The officer from the St Albans Safer Neighbourhood Team took part in the British Gas Great Swim in the Thame

SWAPPING a swimming pool for the less than salubrious waters of the Thames proved an exhilarating experience for fitness fanatic Pc Carol Crawley.

The officer from the St Albans Safer Neighbourhood Team took part in the British Gas Great Swim in the Thames on August 15.

Said Carol, who only received her wetsuit on the morning of the swim: "It was such an amazing experience. I knew I could do it but it's very different covering that distance in a swimming pool in a swimming costume - compared to a wetsuit in the murky water battling with the current!

"But it was so exhilarating and I had a real sense of achievement."

About 1,000 swimmers took part in the one-mile challenge from the Royal Victoria Dock at set times - Carol and her group set off at 11.30am sporting red swimming caps.

Carol, who regularly goes to the gym, swims and runs, has raised �180 for Help a London Child. She has already signed up for another swimming challenge in Suffolk on September 26.