10th September 2020. When the volunteer Watchkeepers at the National Coastwatch Institution station at Fleetwood were asked to keep a safety check on a local swimmer, who was training off the beach at Fleetwood, they had little idea the training was for an attempt to swim the English Channel

Emma Truscott, a member of Fleetwood Swimming Club, decided to attempt the 22-mile-long distance swim over three years ago. Training started in earnest but because of Coronavirus restrictions, it was almost cancelled. However, at the last minute, she got the green light to attempt the swim. Emma’s swim lasted around 10 hours and unfortunately, several miles from France, she had to concede defeat, because of the detrimental effects of salt in her mouth.

In a fantastic show of gratitude to the Watchkeepers who looked after her during her training, Emma had decided to raise funds for NCI Fleetwood, and today she presented a cheque for £260.91 to Brian Johnson, a volunteer Watchkeeper with National Coastwatch Institution Fleetwood.

Brian Johnson said ‘I was watching Emma training one day and realised she was being followed by our local seal ! I decided not to inform her though, in case it scared her. Emma’s a brave lass for even attempting the swim and we are really appreciative of her fundraising on our behalf.’

The photograph shows Brian Johnson receiving the cheque from Emma