A 22-year-old student has claimed that a charity challenge to swim the length of Loch Ness has transformed his life.
James O’Donnell participated in the “Swim Loch Ness” challenge earlier this year in aid of the Highland Hospice.
He is a student and resident at the specialist Cantraybridge College near Croy which supports people with learning disabilities.
Mr O’Donnell has managed to give up smoking and now plans to stay fit and healthy as a result of the challenge.
He was supported by the college’s maintenance enabler Jon Lane, 52.
Both men were treated to a two-hour Jacobite cruise on Loch Ness yesterday as reward for their efforts.
The challenge grew out of Mr O’Donnell’s ambition to stop smoking, with the two men deciding to swim 20-30 lengths twice a week at Nairn Leisure Centre.
One day, they spotted a poster for the hospice’s Swim Loch Ness Challenge – inviting participants to swim the 23-mile length of Loch Ness, at their own pace, over a period of time.
Mr Lane said: “We quickly decided it couldn’t be too hard and we signed up for the challenge. As the weeks passed, both of our confidence, stamina and energy grew.
“We learned a lot about ourselves, mental determination and pain. And we were there for each other.
“We progressed from three to five sessions and began swimming 60 lengths per session – we would swim early in the morning and late in the evening, pushing ourselves harder than we ever thought possible.”
After nine gruelling weeks, the challenge was finally complete.
James added: “I feel fantastic, over the moon and so proud of myself. I have never really stuck at doing anything physical in my life.
“I have lost weight, stopped smoking and have a real desire to stay fit and healthy.”
Highland Hospice fundraiser Carrie MacIntyre said: “It is amazing to hear of James’ success story. He has not only bettered himself, but raised funds for the patients and family members who rely on our care here at the hospice.
“We are so grateful to both James and Jon and would like to say a big thank you to Jacobite Cruises for kindly recognising their success.
“I hope they thoroughly enjoy their cruise.”
