Susan Taylor, 34, from nearby Barwell, died in Boulogne on Sunday after she “suddenly collapsed” on the final part of a challenge, based on a 21-mile (34km) endurance test to raise money for Rainbows Hospice in Loughborough and Diabetes UK.
A statement released through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said Ms Taylor had collapsed as she approached the French coast.
The 34-year-old had set off from Samphire Hoe near Dover at 1am on Sunday morning and got into difficulty near the French coast at about 17:30 local time as she entered Wissant Bay, near Cap Gris-Nez – approximately one mile short of completing the challenge.
Ms Taylor’s brother David, who is a trained paramedic, was on a support boat during the swim and battled to save her life after pulling her onto the boat.
In a media statement, the family said:
“Susan was an experienced long-distance swimmer and had prepared tirelessly for the challenge.
The family were grateful for all the messages of support they have received but would now ask for privacy to come to terms with this tragic event.
Susan took great pride in her fundraising for some amazing charities and we would like her sacrifice to be recognised in the only way she would have wanted,”
The statement went on to say that people could continue to donate money to the two charities in her memory.
On the front page of the Rainbow’s Hospice website on Monday (15th July) , a message said:
A sad loss for us all. Today we heard some devastating news about our wonderful ambassador, Susan Taylor.
She was a wonderful woman who would do anything for anybody…..
Read more at: http://www.rainbows.co.uk/
» Create A Ripple (Susan Taylor’s Facebook ‘Create A Ripple ‘ Page)