Video: Swimmers dive into charity challenge

The annual charity event includes a 500m or 1500m route or an Aquathlon – a 1km swim followed by a 5km run – at Pugneys Country Park near Wakefield.

Amputee Vicki Gilbert, 40, from Yeadon, swam the 1500m event in 41 minutes for Charlie’s Cause – a charity set up to support a young Leeds boy battling leukaemia.

Vicki had to have her leg removed after a misdiagnosis of cancer when she was a teenager.

The mother-of-three received £1.2m compensation after a series of medical blunders led to a bone cyst being misdiagnosed as a tumour.

She said: “It was a really good atmosphere at the swim – everyone is really nice and helpful and you chat to lots of fellow swimmers.

“I had some problems with my goggles which slowed me down so I’ll definitely try it again next year.”

Emma Morris, from Rothwell, also took part in the 1500m swim to raise money for the charity NeST, which funds research into Nephrotic Syndrome – a condition that affects her three-year-old son Oliver.

The swimming event was organised by Jane Tomlinson’s Swim For All.

Swim For All Event lead Charlie Tatman said: “Our swimming festival is completely different to all of our other events and is a great challenge for someone who wants to try something new.

“It’s been really popular over the last two years and this year is no different.”

Swim For All is part of Jane Tomlinson’s legacy of charitable events, which comprise runs, walks and swims.

Swimmers can take part just for the challenge or can raise funds for a charity of their choice.

Jane raised £1.85m for children’s and cancer charities before her death from cancer aged just 43 in 2007.