A WIRRAL PA will be swimming across the Arctic Circle for the Lewy Body Society in honour of her late father who died from the disease.

Wendy Cordier, a personal assistant for people with disabilities, who only learned front crawl last summer will swim 2km in the River Torne in July.

She said: “I took up cold water swimming to cope with the unbearable grief after my dad died. He was such a lovely man. My brother and sister think I am crackers but the feeling I had when the cold water took my breath away for a few seconds the first time is hard to explain, but I felt at peace for the first time in months.”

Her father George Mckenna had been in the Army for 24 years and then worked in security and as an environmental health officer. He lived with Parkinson’s for a number of years and was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia in 2016. Wendy’s mum Jean bravely cared for him at home in West Kirkby with help from carers until his death in 2020.

Wendy, 53, is now planning a whole year of open-water swimming events including the Cool Mile in Princes Dock, Liverpool (April 12) to raise money for The Lewy Body Society.

The charity campaigns for improved diagnosis and treatment of the disease by funding research while supporting those directly affected.

Lewy body dementia is the second most common dementia in older people but is often misunderstood, even by medical professionals. 

Wendy’s main event will be the Swim the Arctic Circle on Saturday, July 12. Open water swimmers will cross the border between Sweden and Finland, a time zone and the Arctic Circle.

The River Torne’s water temperature can be as low as 15 degrees during the summer. 

Wendy, from Hoylake, and friends Sarah Head and Alison Martin will be supported during the event by Wendy’s fiance Matthew Thompson. Her three sons have been backing Wendy all the way, with George – named for his grandfather – occasionally even joining her in the cold water.

The swim friends train at Marine Lake, West Kirby, and other outdoor locations as well as at Leasowe Leisure Centre several times a week in preparation for making their big splash.

Wendy said: “I have found friends at the lakeside and the beach, people who have changed my life and made it feel like I belong. I lost my Dad but found my beautiful friends by the water.”

Jacqui Cannon, CEO of the Lewy Body Society, said: “We wish Wendy and her friends the very best of luck. We know how popular cold water swimming has become and how useful it can be for people struggling with mental health. The Lewy Body Society is so grateful that we have such loyal supporters.”

Help Wendy and friends reach her £2,000 target in memory of her dad: https://www.justgiving.com/page/wendy-cordier-4