Six hours of sport to help project

Two women spent six hours in a mini triathalon in Spalding this week to raise money for a Spalding church community project.

Aga Smith and Kinga Rupniewska cycled 13km, ran 2km in wet suits in blazing sunshine and then swam 3km in the River Welland to help raise awareness and funds for the St Thomas Project on Monday.
The town’s St Norbert’s Catholic Church is setting up the project to support the community, regardless of faith, with facilities, including a space for a nursery and a community cafe in the former St Thomas Methodist Church.
They raised almost £400 by the end of Tuesday and have a GoFundMe page which is still open.
Spalding Water Taxi helped support the event when the women ran from the taxi jetty towards Applegreen before jumping in the Welland to swim back then paddle-boarding to the town centre.
They started at 9.30am on Monday and finished at 3.30pm – on one of the hottest days so far this year. Both women are avid open-water swimmers and decided to add the run and cycle ride to create a triathlon.
“We were extremely tired but very happy and thankful to our sponsors,” said Kinga.
The water taxi provided safety back-up and the event was also supported by Bakkavor, DC Signs and AJS Control and Automation.