Going to great lengths to help

Buy photos » Sandra O’Connell, a member of Knowle Parish Church, will be taking the plunge for charity. 17.012.035.sol.nc1 www.buyphotos247.com

THE church has been the inspiration for a swimmer who is set to take the plunge for charity.

Sandra O'Connell was invited to a Women's Breakfast at Knowle Parish Church, where she is a regular member of the congregation, and listened to a talk about the charity Tearfund.

Sandra was inspired to undertake her own challenge after hearing about the work the charity had done to help the people of Haiti in the aftermath of the earthquake in January 2010 which killed 300,000 people and made 1.5 million people homeless.

On Saturday, June 2 she will be swimming non-stop for three hours to raise funds for Tearfund and has set a target of £1,000.

Sandra, who works as a nanny in Solihull, said: "The talk told us about Haiti's struggles and during this we were shown many photographs of children and adults whose faces told such tragic, heartbreaking stories.

"When I looked at the children's watery sad eyes I knew as a human and nanny I needed to reach out and help them as much as I possibly can."

After being treated for breast cancer two years ago Sandra began swimming and she currently tries to go everyday after work.

And an underwater MP3 player has been keeping her going and she said the songs Amazing Grace by Susan Boyle and Lead Me Lord have particularly motivated her to achieve her goal in the pool.

Sandra will be carrying out her three hour swim at the Holiday Inn in Bromsgrove where she is a member.

She said: "The pool is not massive but I know each stroke I do I shall do it out of love, concern and hope for all those suffering in Haiti.

"I feel the more people who know about this amazing charity the more help they will receive."

Visit www.justgiving.com/sandra-oconnell for more information and to donate.

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