Thame grandmother to swim for Zambian vunerable children (Status: Press Release)

MARY Blyth, a 77-year-old grandmother from Thame, has taken up the challenge set by Cecily?s Fund of covering 10,000 miles to raise money for children who have been orphaned or made vulnerable by the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Zambia, Southern Africa.
As part of its tenth anniversary celebrations, Cecily?s Fund aims to raise money and awareness through sponsored walks, bike rides, runs and swims covering a total of 10,000 miles, the approximate distance of a route from Oxford to Lusaka, Zambia?s capital city. The campaign was launched in December last year, with a troupe of Oxfordshire Scouts, Beavers and Cubs taking part in the debut walk on World AIDS day.

Mary has responded to this challenge with enthusiasm and will contribute one amazing mile to the grand total by swimming 64 lengths of the Jubilee pool in Thame.

Cecily?s Fund was founded in 1998 in memory of Oxfordshire teenager, Cecily Eastwood, who died in a road accident the previous year whilst volunteering with orphaned and vulnerable children in Zambia.

Caroline Horne, Cecily’s Fund Manager, says ?It is wonderful that Mary has responded to our 10,000 mile challenge with such enthusiasm. The money which is raised through her swim will make a vital difference to so many children in Zambia. It costs just