Linda Williamson Starts Open Water Training for Channel Swim

Linda Williamson has just celebrated her 70^th birthday with the pledge of swimming the English Channel as part of a six man/woman relay team of over 70’s.  On retiring from running her own PR and Events company a few years ago, Linda became a gym and keep fit fanatic and in her 60’s has completed 3 London Marathons, two 26 mile Moonwalks and climbed Mt Kilimanjaro, Machu Picchu and Mt Everest base camp.  She decided that was now too easy, and therefore wanted to take on something she hasn’t tried before, hence the Channel swim.

Linda says “it is scary thinking about doing it and I might be slower than others but I am determined. The Children’s Air Ambulance is important to me for two very special personal reasons in that I wish it had been in existence when I needed it for our son back in 1988 – it would have made a big difference to his eventual outcome, and secondly because I am so proud of my husband Andy for making it happen”

Linda has been married to The Air Ambulance Service CEO Andy Williamson for 38 years and has two sons Scott and Kieron.  She previously worked for the Police in Communications and began her working life as a computer programmer and analyst, in her own words “back when a computer filled an entire room”

Linda’s other claim to fame was a marriage proposal from a world famous rock star back in the 1960’s long before she met Andy. Her reason for declining? “He was too clingy” Andy remains very glad of that.

Linda is now training every week in open water swimming in Northamptonshire where she lives and is set on her team holding a world record as the oldest mixed team to do the Channel swim – we await confirmation from Guinness World Records if that will be the case. Nevertheless, the woman who is nicknamed “the machine” by staff at her local Virgin Gym will be powering The Children’s Air Ambulance with her fundraising efforts.