Published at 10:32, Saturday, 24 July 2010

A DALTON bobby is hoping to make a splash as she raises money for a charity close to her heart.

CHALLENGE: PC Michelle Milburn is taking part in the Great North SwimMARTIN MOSER REF: 0531891

PC Michelle Milburn will take part in this year’s Great North Swim.

And the Dalton community officer is hoping to raise lots of money for St Mary’s Hospice in Ulverston and St John’s Hospice in Lancaster, in memory of her mother.

PC Milburn, 37, has recently started swimming in Coniston Water, in preparation for September’s event.

Talking about the one-mile sponsored swim, she said: “I watched the Great North Swim last year and the swimmers made it look easy.

“My mum had recently been diagnosed with cancer and although I have not swam for 20 years, I thought this would be a good challenge for during which I could raise money for the hospices.

“My mum died in January this year and her last few months were spent at home in familiar surroundings with family and friends. This was made possible with the help of St John’s Hospice outreach service who gave us support. I thought it would be good to support the local hospices because I have got other family members that have used the hospice, as well as my mum.

“My mum’s passing has given me something to focus on – doing it in the memory of someone.

“I hope that the money raised can benefit someone else in the same way as it did my mum.

“It just allows sufferers to be at home, which is really important in their last few months of life, to be around their friends and family.

“There are so many people affected by cancer that it is just nice to be able to let them live out their time at home.”

If anybody would like to support PC Milburn, log on to www.justgiving.com/Michelle-Milburn

Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk