A WINCHESTER woman recently completed the Bournemouth Pier to Pier Swim to raise money for the British Heart Foundation (BHF). 

Hannah Gurnham, 43, joined 1,200 wetsuited swimmers taking on the 1.4-mile swim between Bournemouth and Boscombe Pier to help the BHF fund research into new treatments and cures for heart and circulatory diseases, on Saturday, June 29. 

Sponsors JAZZ™ Apples, made sure they were at the core of the event with their fruitful new addition to Bournemouth beach, their giant apple buoy.

Hannah is a passionate open water swimmer. She zipped up her wetsuit and snapped on her goggles because she liked the challenge of taking on one of the largest open water swimming events in Europe. 

She had unfinished business with the Bournemouth Pier to Pier Swim after taking part two years ago and having to do a circular route for safety reasons.

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Hannah found the water quite choppy and the first half of the swim challenging. She said the event “brought people together and there was great solidarity”.

Getting back onto dry land at the finish line on bustling Boscombe Beach, Hannah said: “Taking part in the 2024 Bournemouth Pier to Pier for the British Heart Foundation (BHF) was such a huge challenge and an incredible experience. The atmosphere was so much fun. Being surrounded by people all swimming for the same cause was amazing, and everyone was so encouraging, it made me even more determined to power on to the finish. 

“The research that the BHF does makes such a difference to the 7.6 million people in the UK living with heart and circulatory diseases, so I’m proud to know I’m doing as much as I can to support their amazing work to help fund the next big scientific breakthrough.” 

Since it was first held in 1992, more than 34,000 people have taken part in the BHF’s Pier to Pier swim. Now in its 33rd year, the event has raised around £4m for research into heart and circulatory conditions. 

Kate Sparks, senior events manager at the BHF, added: “It’s fantastic to see Hannah’s passion and determination in helping us fund lifesaving research. Without the support of people like Hannah, we wouldn’t be able to help revolutionise treatments and transform the lives of millions of people living with heart and circulatory diseases in the UK.     

“For those who are feeling inspired, entries are now open for next year’s Bournemouth Pier to Pier Swim, so we’d urge everyone to take the plunge now to help us fund vital research to save and improve more lives.”