Catenians in North Sea charity swim

Chris Rhodes and Jamie Brown

Even dipping a toe in the icy North Sea at this time of the year is too much for most of us – but big-hearted Chris Rhodes took a two-kilometre swim in the aid of charity. Chris took on the daunting task to raise funds for the Lourdes Sick Fund and Middlesbrough Youth Mission Team as part of a year-long fundraising commitment as president of the Middlesbrough Circle of the Catenians.

When the recent heavy rainfall meant Chris had to abandon plans for the Great North Swim along the River Tees from Yarm to Stockton, he turned his attention to the sea.

And he was joined by his fellow Catenian Jamie Brown, another experienced swimmer, for the charity challenge, as both donned wetsuits.

“I was pretty confident I could do it but there’s always a doubt in your mind until you actually do it,” said retired engineer Chris, a former ICI employee. “It was certainly a comfort to have Jamie alongside me.

“It’s not like swimming in the baths when the end of the pool is always in sight and you can count the lengths. There were times when I felt we weren’t really making any progress but the pier slowly started to get closer.

Having finally touched the pier legs at the end of their 40-minute swim, Chris and Jamie made their way to shore, where they were greeted by cheering family and friends who had turned out to support their charity challenge.

“The best bit was definitely finishing,” laughed Chris, who competed for Billingham Synthonia Swimming Club as a child. “I just thought ‘I’ve done it - and thank goodness for that!’ The object wasn’t simply to complete the swim but to raise money for the Mission team and the Lourdes Sick Fund, which we’ve done.”

And the 64-year-old is keen to set the record straight on why he momentarily appeared to be on the edge of collapsing on the sand as he finally walked out of the waves.

“When you’ve been in the sea that length of time, you do tend to lose your land legs,” he explained. “You do stagger around a little, as I did – but it wasn’t because I was so tired. I was just finding my balance!”

Chris and Jamie would like to thank all those who kindly sponsored their swim – and would love to hear from anyone else who would like to make a donation.

Funds raised for the Lourdes Sick Fund will help to send the sick on a pilgrimage to the scene of Our Lady’s appearance to St Bernadette, while the Catholic Diocese of Middlesbrough’s Youth Mission will also be boosted in their efforts to carry out work between Teesside in the north and Hull in the south.