10 Challenges for Owen: First challenge complete as Hucknall woman swims 21 miles and raises over £700 for The Brain Tumour Charity

A Hucknall woman has raised over £700 for The Brain Tumour Charity by completing a 21 mile swim.

Livvy Shelton, who broke the challenge up over ten days and swam each mile at Hucknall Leisure Centre, finished it on Saturday afternoon (19 March) with friends and family turning out to cheer her on over the last two miles.

The feat formed the first of 'Ten Challenges for Owen' which has been organised by the Jowitt family in memory of Owen Jowitt who passed away in 2012. Owen was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumour back in 2001, when he was just two years of age.

Miss Shelton chose to swim 21 miles, which equated to a total of 1344 lengths of the pool as that is the length of the narrowest part of the English Channel.

Speaking to Hucknall Nub News, she said: "I've known Hannah (Jowitt) and the rest of the family for over 20 years. I wanted to show how much Owen really meant and how much of an inspiration he was and wanted to do something in his memory. I wanted to do something that would push me."

Describing completing the final two miles and the support she received poolside from her Mum and the Jowitt family, she said: "That was really nice. I just got in the zone. (I thought) This is it, this is what you've been working towards. Do it for the Jowitts, do it for Owen, basically smash it out the pool. You've worked this hard; you've come this far.

"I hit the wall about 80 lengths in, between 80 and 90 lengths, my legs were starting to ache, my arms were burning a little bit. I was like come on, just keep going. I just got in that zone, thought about Owen; he pushed me."

Asked about her emotions as she finished her final length, she said: "I was proud to say that I've actually done it. I would never have been able to do it two years ago. Since Covid I've worked on my fitness, because it just boosts my mental health and to do it in memory of a loved one, my best friend's brother, is just incredible. I feel honoured for Hannah, Andrew, Dorothy and Trevor to ask me to do a challenge in memory of Owen."

Livvy was extremely complimentary about Hucknall Leisure Centre and its staff describing them as "incredible," and praising them for how supportive they were towards her throughout the duration of the challenge.

The day after completing the challenge Livvy competed in a synchronised swimming competition and won a silver medal, despite it being the best part of two and a half years since she last competed.

Understandably she gave herself a day out of the pool on Monday to "rest her body," and said she was "glad not to be in the pool" for a day.

It won't be long before Livvy is once again poolside in her capacity as the coach of Green Arrows Artistic Swimming Club.

On the money she has raised so far and managing to comfortably surpass her initial target of £500, she added: "I'm absolutely thrilled to have raised that much and especially for the charity that it's for as well; very chuffed."

The remaining challenges will take place over the next few months before culminating in the 'Something for Everyone' final challenge on Saturday 9 July which will include a 6 a-side cricket tournament. There will also be an auction. Any local businesses wanting to support this by donating prizes can do so by contacting the Facebook page by clicking here.

Anyone wishing to donate money to the cause by sponsoring Livvy or any of the other fundraisers can do so by visiting the Just Giving page by clicking here.