Woodbridge: Swimmer goes to great lengths for charities
Swimmer Shirley Lovick, who was born with cerebral palsy, has spent her life raising money for others and takes part in an annual swimathon at Deben Pool in Woodbridge.
When Shirley Lovick takes the plunge for charity she throws herself in at the deep end.
Born with cerebral palsy, the 77-year-old has dedicated much of her life to raising money for other people, completing more than 20 charity swimathons at her local pool in Woodbridge.
Every Thursday she swims four-and-a-half miles at Deben Pool and relishes completing every one of the 290 lengths.
"I love it," said multi-medal-winning Mrs Lovick, whose latest swimathon raised £1,300.
"I meet lots of people and it gives me more confidence.
"They're very kind to me here. I like to try to encourage more people to swim."
Over the years, Mrs Lovick, of Deben View, Woodbridge, has raised thousands for a variety of good causes, including Marie Curie Cancer Care and Macmillan Nurses.
She began swimming at the Halliwick Penguins club in Southgate, and at Leiston pool, encouraged by husband, Rick.
Her disability means she has mobility and muscle problems down the left side of her body, but she uses her arm to pull herself through the water.
Mandy Hearle, who works at Deben Pool, said: "Shirley is unbelievably inspiring. She's indomitable. Everybody knows who she is and she's very popular."