I would like to thank everyone who took the time to donate to this cause that is dear to the hearts of many.

This year's efforts of swimming for the Cancer Research UK Charity was in the River Thames on 25th August 2013. My swimming partner, Anne Muddiman and I braved the elements in Little Marlow, Buckinghamshire, and although we were able to swim a mile in our training sessions, (please see new photos), on the day, Father Thames was sending a number of us through an undercurrent which cut short our aim, but we persevered as long as we could.

Last year I swam in open water for the first time. I had played around in the shallow part of oceans on holidays at beaches, etc., but never before had I ventured out past beyond where my feet would touch the ground.The event was on 24 June 2012, the Great North Swim in Lake Windermere. It took 1 hour, 7 minutes and 15 seconds to swim 1 mile, in 14 degree chilly waters, for me to make it to shore. I am a novice swimmer but was given tremendous support at the Camberly Quays Open Water Training Centre. I also trained at my local pool. All of this to firstly honor my beloved Auntie, Bettye Faye Anderson, who died of breast cancer in 1970. She was my first vocal teacher and our family still mourns the loss of her at the young age of 38. She was a brilliantly gifted, classically trained vocalist and a gospel singer, of whom I am now writing a musical about.

I have also lost several other family members and comforted friends who experienced the loss this disease can bring. 

My dear friend, artistic director, Julien Boast, took the photos of the event at Lake Windermere and our splendid Andrew Shaw filmed the You Tube footage of my effort, which are posted on this page. The Boast family drove 8 hours in pouring rain, rented a cottage for the weekend, with children in tow, to support my effort and also in memory of their loved one, taken by cancer.

I know for a fact that Cancer Research has improved greatly over the years since my Auntie Bettye Faye died. When she was diagnosed, little was known about how to treat the disease. My stepfather, Bobby Byrd, (bandleader and bandmember for the Godfather of Soul, James Brown), lived to be 73 years old,10 years after being diagnosed with throat cancer, with the advantage of all the modern medicines to help him spend his last decade in a much more accomodating manner than did my Auntie Bettye Faye, nearly 40 years ago, so, proof positive that Cancer Research does a wonderful job in fighting the beast that will be beaten.

Much appreciation again for your encouragements all along the way.

With Gratitude,

Carleen Anderson    www.carleenanderson.com