Banbury Mum completes extraordinary Arctic swim for children's charity

Mother of two Roz Rapp, 49, from South Newington braved the icy waters crossing from Finland to Sweden to complete the Arctic Swim Challenge to raise funds for the Iuventas Foundation.

The midnight swim across the Arctic Circle was a distance of 3km – and because of the time difference between the two countries, she finished before she started!

She took on the challenge despite being allergic to fish, of which she admits to being terrified, in a bid to push herself outside her comfort zone.

"I did my training in Chippy Lido when I wasn't fit enough to do 50m and then did the rest of my training in Banbury Open Air Pool. I eventually made it down to Oxford lake - but only once before I left,” she said.

Mrs Rapp runs The Iuventas Foundation which works with young people across Oxfordshire.

“I specifically work with young people at EMBS community college in Banbury, The Warriner School and with the Banbury Partnership and Sun Fund,” she said.

“We provide professional mentoring, life coaching and mental health support, helping young people develop confidence, resilience and the skills they need to lead happy, healthy and fulfilled lives.

“The money I've raised will go directly to supporting young people in the Banbury area and we are looking to do more collaborative work with the Banbury Partnership, in particular with Distraction Community, Banbury Larder, The Hill Project and other local charities.

“The Iuventas Foundation gives young people a space to be seen and heard during their teenage years and beyond. I took on this challenge not only to raise much-needed funds but also to step outside my comfort zone, just as I encourage the young people we work with to do every week.

"I closed my eyes to the fish beneath me and battled against the current to reach the finish line. It was a very special and incredibly proud moment.”

Donations are still being welcomed to help the charity continue its work.

For more information about Roz’s Arctic Swim Challenge or the work of the Iuventas Foundation, please see her Just Giving page here.