Memorial swim for Leanne

12:11pm Thursday 4th September 2008

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SWIMMERS in Tewkesbury are being called on to take the plunge in a sponsored swim in memory of 21-year-old lifeguard Leanne Haddrell, pictured, who died in May.

Leanne unexpectedly died on May 1 in Cheltenham General Hospital after contracting a virus which triggered an unknown heart condition.

She had been ill for a few days with flu-like symptoms and when admitted to hospital doctors found she was suffering from an irregular heartbeat. She died three hours later.

Swimmers are being invited to take part in the memorial swim at Cascades Swimming Pool next Saturday (13) and swim as little or as much as they can. Each length swum will correspond to an event in Leanne’s life.

The event will raise money for cardiac research charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) and fund a bench in memory of Leanne.

The former Tewkesbury School pupil was a keen sportswoman and swam for Tewkesbury Swimming Club for many years. She also played water polo for both Tewkesbury Polo Club and the University of Glamorgan, where she was in her second year of a sports science degree.

Tributes poured in following her death and Cascades, where she worked, was closed on the day of her funeral so members of staff could pay their respects.

The swim will take place between 6pm and 9pm. The pool is seeking volunteers to help keep count of the lengths swum.

For a sponsorship form or to make a donation to CRY, visit Cascades or call the hotline on 01684 290833.