Brecon’s Taniya Morris, Karen Davies, and Fiona Coombs will be taking on multiple swim challenges over the next two years all in aid of Velindre Cancer Centre.

In the first two weeks of September, the trio, who go by the name of ‘Splash Dragons’ will be collectively swimming the 150 miles from London to Cardiff, in outdoor lidos along the M4 corridor, finishing in Llanishen Reservoir in Cardiff. As well as raising money for Velindre, the team will also be lobbying MPs at the Houses of Parliament and MSs in the Senedd to highlight the plight of cancer service funding in Wales.

As well as their 150-mile challenge, the trio also have their sights set on July 2027 where they will take part in the Statue of Liberty Swim as part of Team Velindre. The Statue of Liberty Swim is a one mile loop around the Statue of Liberty followed by a 2.2 mile open water swim across the Hudson River from Manhattan to New Jersey. The trio have been set the target of raising £3,800 each for the New York swim for Velindre.

“This is something that is close to our hearts; it was Karen’s idea and she got us together,” said Taniya.

“The idea of the lido challenge came from doing something that is between Parliament and the Senedd so that we have another meaning to it; we are fundraising and raising awareness at the same time. We’ll start and end with presenting a letter to both parliaments highlighting the plight of cancer services in Wales,” added Fiona.

Fiona is currently on targeted therapy for stage three melanoma. She explained that it is a team effort. She said: “I think the other two thought of me with the lido challenge as with part of my treatment I cannot be in cold water but I can swim in pools. It is very much a team effort and we are sharing out the 150 miles between us.

“We’re all doing our bit,” added Taniya. “We’re training together and all doing our bit for promoting our events.”

Speaking on Velindre Cancer Centre, Fiona said: “When you go to Velindre, you know that it’s backed up as a centre of research and there’s the complimentary therapy and they take really good care and it’s a service well worth supporting for so many reasons.”

The trio met through swimming by cold water dipping at the promenade in Brecon and regularly swim. As part of their training for the lido challenge, they will be taking part in many swimming events and organised fitness challenges. They have been training with fitness coaches and triathlon coach Dave Tonge at Heathwood Triathlon Club.

Taniya, Karen and Fiona are inviting the public to come along to an evening of wine and nibbles on Wednesday, 25 February at The Muse in Brecon from 7.30pm to 8.30pm. The three of them will present their plans and inform those there of the work that Velindre Cancer Centre does.

If you would like to donate to the cause. Please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/page/taniya-morris-4