Read teachers in Great North Swim charity bid

Mrs Carolyne Entwistle and Mrs Sandra Nutter, of Read St John’s CE Primary School, are ready to tackle the Great North Swim tomorrow.

The pair will swim a mile-long course across England’s largest lake along with hundreds of other swimmers.

Mrs Entwistle, who is the reception class teacher at St John’s, said: “We are really excited about it. We have been training since January for it.

“We will be doing a mile across Windermere. It will be my first outdoor swim. We are just ready to go and get in and get on with it.”

The teachers were inspired to raise money for the GEM Appeal which funds research into genetic and enzyme-related disorders in children.

Young Matthew Burian, the son of a family friend, suffers from Hunter’s Syndrome – a hereditary condition which can cause mental and physical among children.

Mrs Entwistle explained that they wanted to raise money for the GEM Appeal to help children like Matthew.

She said: “As we work with children this charity is really important to us. It is important for us to do anything we can to raise money for poorly children.

“It is not just for Matthew, the charity raises money for research into all sorts of diseases and conditions that are caused by genetics and enzymes.

“It is a really worthwhile charity.”

The two teachers were among around 100 others who pledged to raise £1,000 for the GEM Appeal at a winter ball hosted by the charity which is backed by TV stars Tim Healy and Denise Welch.

Ahead of the Great North Swim, Mrs Entwistle and Mrs Nutter appeared at St John’s Primary summer fair dressed in wetsuits rasing money for the charity.

The pair hope to smash their target of £1,000. Donations can be made directly to the GEM Appeal website or to by calling in at St John’s CE Primary School in Read.