Swimming mum pledges to go again after weather scuppers Jersey-France fundraiser

Wednesday 10 July 2024

Unexpected bad weather might have scuppered a Staffordshire mum's attempt to swim from Jersey to France alongside a friend to raise money for the hospital that saved her daughter's life – but she is determined to go again.

Caroline Jones and Kristen Lackajis – aka 'The Burntwood Belles' – had been preparing for months for an 18 mile relay from Jersey to France and back.

As their team name suggets, Caroline and Kristen live in the town of Burntwood in Staffordshire and being experienced swimmers, decided to take on the gruelling relay challenge in aid of Birmingham Children's Hospital.

Caroline's daughter, Isobel, was diagnosed with Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD) when she was 15, after multiple tumours were found on her brain. 

The life-long condition will require care and management and it was the care and support from Birmingham Children's Hospital that saved Isobel's life.

Pictured: Kirsten (centre) and Caroline (right) want to raise as much money for Birmingham Children's Hospital.

So this challenge was a way to give back.

The Jersey to France challenge is no mean feat. Alternating between hour swims and rests on the boat, it was all going to plan when they set off from La Coupe on 2nd July.

However, as the swimmers and their four-man team on the boat continued en route to France, the wind rapidly strengthened from a Force 4 to a Force 6 and the challenge started to become dangerous for all involved.

“We always knew there was a chance it was going to be very difficult", Kirsten said.

“With Jersey having quite a reputation for its currents, but [the weather] just got worse and worse and made it really challenging."

Caroline, who swam the English Channel in a four-person relay last year, added: "We were about five-and-a-half hours in when it got to the point where we couldn’t even get back on the boat in between our swims [because of the choppiness]... It was really difficult."

As seasickness started to kick in, it was the decision of the pilot, who was from Jersey's Lionheart Pilotage, to halt the swim for the sake of everyone on board.

Pictured: The ladies set off from La Coupe on 2nd July before bad weather halted the swim.

Having spent hours training in lakes and outdoor pools leading up to the challenge as well as fundraising travel costs and almost £3,000 on their JustGiving page, it was a blow for Caroline and Kristen.

"A lot of planning is involved with things like this," Kristen said.

"Some people plan up to a year or two in advance for this challenge."

But, the Burntwood Belles aren't giving up.

"It's like we have unfinished business now," added Kristen.

 With both of them fit and ready to try again, hopefully this year, they just need to resolve the (not so) small issue of boat availability, personnel and finances.

Even though Caroline and Kristen had to return to the UK without completing their swim, they still left on a positive note, having had a "really lovely experience" in Jersey.