Why BBC teams are swapping newsrooms for pools

The BBC Lincolnshire swim team

Teams across BBC radio stations have been taking part in The Thousand Mile Swim challenge for Children in Need. Each team has been tasked with swimming 25 miles (40km) in total. Journalist Eleanor Maslin is part of the Lincoln swim team.

I was not quite sure how it would pan out when I agreed to swim a mile each day for five days in a row.

Five mornings of swimming about 64 lengths a day and then working is certainly no mean feat, even for a keen swimmer like myself. I am certainly feeling it heading into our final swim!

In our region, two teams are taking part in the challenge, representing Radio Humberside and Radio Lincolnshire.

Producer Sue Taylor, presenters Sean Dunderdale and Scott Dalton, multi-platform journalist Sarah-May Buccieri and myself make up the Lincoln swim team.

Sarah-May spoke to BBC Radio Lincolnshire before the penultimate swim on Thursday.

"I was feeling quite down this morning about it but this lovely woman wearing Pudsey merch on the poolside instilled us all with so much hope," said Sarah-May.

"We're so close to the end."

Sean, completing his 40th length on Thursday, said: "Oh it's hurting but we're nearly there, I'm counting them off."

Scott added: "I don't know what's happened to me but I've fallen in love with swimming. Last week I hated it."

Richard Stead is one of the swimmers who has completed 64 lengths a day

Meanwhile, the Hull team is also finding the challenge tough.

Its team is made up of presenters Carla Greene, Kofi Smiles and Richard Stead as well as senior journalist Richard Madden and producer Charlie O'Loughlin.

Speaking on BBC Radio Humberside on their fourth day of their swim, Carla said: "I do feel a bit more energised today but my right shoulder has been giving me a bit of grief.

"I think yesterday we were all a bit shattered."

Producer Charlie added: "As someone who isn't a natural swimmer and struggle to walk in a straight line sometimes, 62 lengths is way out of my comfort zone.

"It's been a fabulous opportunity and an amazing team."

All smiles from the BBC Humberside swim team on their third day of the challenge at Ennerdale Leisure Centre in Hull

Meanwhile, Richard Madden, dubbed "Manta Ray" by the Hull team, said the challenge had also boosted his mental health.

"I didn't realise how good it would make me feel. I've often struggled with my self confidence but being in the pool has changed that," he said.

"I've definitely caught the swimming bug and will make sure a trip to the pool becomes a regular thing."

Kofi also said the comradery had "exceeded" his expectations.

He said: "The experience wouldn't be anything without my teammates. The laughter and joy has been a real driving force."

What a great cause to swim a mile each day for - thank you for everyone's support

So far, The Thousand Mile Swim Challenge has netted £70,000 for BBC Children In Need.

To those who have donated, leisure centres that have kindly let us use their swimming pools and inspiring members of the public we have met along the way, thank you.

Later, we will don our Pudsey swim caps for a final time. Anyone got a hot tub we can sit in instead?

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