A GRANDMOTHER of three from Ilkley has completed a gruelling 22-mile swim for charity.

Mary Priestman, 49, of Wyvil Road, raised £125 for Cancer Relief while easing her own arthritis at the same time.

Mrs Priestman, who confessed she could not swim at all at school, started swimming lessons when she was diagnosed with arthritis in her spine and both knees.

Shortly after swimming only one length of the Pool, she signed up for the scheme at Ilkley Swimming Pool in February with the ambition of swimming 22 miles for charity.

She said: "I became more thrilled as time went by; I knew I could do it."

Her challenge has taken her seven and a half months to complete and has not been without incident. As early as March, Mrs Priestman was taken ill and told she was suffering from an over-active thyroid. In July, the swim was postponed again when Mary's daughter was taken to hospital.

The swim which has benefited Cancer Relief has also helped Mrs Priestman as the regular cortisone injections she has in her knees, have had to be administered less regularly than before the swim.

Although Mrs Priestman is no longer able to continue her work as a part-time cleaner, she is able to continue caring for her six cats and a dog as well as regularly visiting her family. She also continues to swim 16 lengths of Ilkley pool three times a week.

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