THE manager of a Bewdley day service has raised more than £300 for Alzheimer’s Society after completing a swimming challenge.

Alison Coley-Smith raised the money after taking part in this year’s Chillswim, an open water swimming race along the full 5.25 miles of Coniston Lake, in the Lake District.

Taking place in water with an average temperature of 17 degrees, she was able to finish the swim in three hours and two minutes.

Alison said: “My Chillswim in Coniston was amazing - one of the best things I have ever done.

“I am really pleased with the time but initially I was more concerned about finishing so took the first three miles steady.

“At the feed stations I took my time to have a drink, eat jelly babies and admire the beautiful surrounding scenery – which was quite a funny thing to do whilst treading water.

“My competitive side, however, has since kicked in, as if I had known I could break the three hour time I would have got a little more stuck in and less munching."

Alison described the condition of the water as "quite warm", but she said there were still patches of the lake where the temperatures were ice cold.

"The last mile we were met with very thick weed just to add to the challenge," she said.

"My shoulders also started to get a little sore so I got a better pace on to get finished.

"However, the Chillswim team, volunteers and safety crew were just brilliant and the event was so very well organised."

Alison, the manager of Reach - a small day service for adults with learning disabilities, is “over the moon” with the money she has been able to raise so far and her final total is still rising.

"It is fantastic to raise the money for a wonderful cause," she said.

"I feel very proud to have achieved this and I have had some fabulous support from family, friends and the local community along the way."

The 45-year-old has had some previous open water experience and said she was inspired to swim in aid of Alzheimer’s Society due to a recent bereavement in her family.

“Earlier this year when we sadly lost our Aunty Dottie to dementia,” she said.

“I feel Alzheimer’s Society is a wonderful cause, making valuable progress in research to help and support people with this very sad condition.”

To donate to Alison’s cause visit justgiving.com/alison-coley-smith