A 'SWIM obsessed' Chester based architect has completed the final instalment of her Lakes Triple Crown Challenge this month.

Kate Richards, who had already swum 7.5 miles across Ullswater and 5.25 miles across Coniston, swam the 11 mile length of Windermere.

She has raised almost £1,000 for Surfers Against Sewage in the process.

She said: “I’m really proud of myself for completing what was an extremely gruelling challenge.

"Swimming can seem like a lonely sport, especially when you’re in the water and you can’t talk to anyone.

“Despite this, I hugely appreciate all the support I’ve received before and after every event, in all its forms.

"I’ve had lovely messages from friends and family, words of advice from my lane partner Derek, to my parents-in-law looking after our dog Tenby while I drag the family up the M6 again.

“The biggest mention goes of course to my husband Simon who, ever since I first considered swimming in the River Dee 11 years ago, has walked, cycled and even kayaked alongside me, carried my bags and always believed in me.

“He patiently accepts that I enjoy leaving the house at an ungodly hour to swim in the pool and then smell of chlorine for the rest of the day.

Anyone who would like to sponsor Kate can do so here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/kate-richards-1718432696531?utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=page%2Fkate-richards-1718432696531&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=pfp-share

“I’m so grateful to all those who kindly donated to my fundraiser for Surfers Against Sewage – a very apt cause given the recent news about sewage discharges into Windermere.”

Kate trained for the challenge by practising in her local swimming pool and built up her open water swimming at Park in the Past near Hope, and Llyn Padarn in Eryri National Park.

Earlier this month Kate, who lives near Mold and is also Chair of Landscape Institute Wales, was promoted to become a director of Land Studio, a landscape architecture, engineering and ecology design studio based in Chester.