An inspiring Immingham woman is aiming to make a big splash in memory of a close friend who died from a brain haemorrhage just before his 50th birthday.
Janine Cioni is aiming to complete five gruelling open water events this Summer – all between one mile and 5km in distance – as well as the Grimsby 10K run in July and the Cardiff Half Marathon in October.
The lab technician is aiming to raise £500 for the charity Neurocare, which funds life-saving equipment, research and patient support at Sheffield hospitals’ neurological centre of excellence.
Janine has taken on the Great Swim challenge in memory of her best friend’s husband Simon ‘Bess’ Besson, who tragically died last November just two days after suffering a brain haemorrhage.
Simon, 49, was initially taken to Scunthorpe General Hospital before being transferred to the neurology department at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield.
“It was all so sudden. We are all still coming to terms with it. I want to raise as much money for Neurocare as possible as a tribute to Bess,” said 34-year-old Janine. “He was with me when I did my first ever open water swim event and it feels right to honour his life in this way.”
Janine will be joined in all the challenges by her partner Rob. She has already completed the Great North Swim on Lake Windermere and the Great East Swim in Ipswich.
Next month she will tackle the Great London event and the Salford Quays 5km Uswim followed by the Great Scotland Swim on Loch Lomond at the end of August.
She added: “The Windermere swim was very emotional in particular. This will be a real challenge, particularly trying to do the 5km distance, but I know Bess will be there with me every stroke of the way.”
To support Janine go to her Just Giving page at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/janine-cioni3
