Unable to manage more than five lengths of a swimming pool just weeks ago, a devoted husband is planning on taking on more than 100 in an effort to raise funds for a charity supporting his wife.
Rob Dolton will embark upon his challenge, completing 125 laps of the pool at The Holiday Inn, Sutton on Friday to raise awareness of Myalgic Encephalopathy (ME).
The 51-year-old, who admits he is no water baby, is tackling the 1,500m swim in support of his wife Michelle who has battled with the condition for more than 10 years.
ME, also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, affects sufferers in different ways, but for Mrs Dolton, 43, it means she is unable to work and spends hours bed bound every day.
Rob and Michelle on their wedding day
Mr Dolton, who works in Sutton at The Eurofinance Parntership, said: "It’s tough, the training has been very hard," says Rob. "I started seven weeks ago, managing five or six lengths, with a break between each one. Now I’m up to 90.
"I’m 17 stone and very conscious of my weight, and it affects my confidence. I find walking out of the changing room hard, because I don’t like people seeing me."
He decided on a swimathon because his wife was a pool lifeguard in her teens and loved swimming.
To support Mr Dolton, visit www.justgiving.com/rob-dolton
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