Lifesavers pick up national awards

TWO veteran Ipswich lifesavers have made a big splash by picking up the top awards at the national lifesaving championships.

Evening Star editor Nigel Pickover formally handed over a proud chestful of gongs to Terry Cloud and Marian Brown, who run the Lifesaving Club at the town's Fore Street Swimming Pool.

Mr Cloud, who has been practising his vital skills for more than twenty years, and Mrs Brown, a lifesaver for 18 years, were both overall winners at the national lifesaving championships which were held at the Commonwealth Games swimming pool in Manchester.

Mr Brown came first in the practice resuscitation incident and the 'waterwork' test. This meant he had to bring under control the nightmare scenario of more than 10 people in varying degrees of distress within 90 seconds – certainly a situation in which he had to use all his years to experience to deal with the crisis!

He also did commendably well in the rope throwing category and the swim and tow in which he had to rescue a weighted dummy from the bottom of the pool

A joint winner, fellow club stalwart Mrs Brown came top in the speed swim and the resuscitation category.

"I'm very proud," she said.

Mr Cloud, 58, added that the pair had only started taking part in the event three years ago after taking groups of youngsters to the event for twenty years.

The 10-strong team had progressed through the county and regional stages to reach the UK finals.

"You've got be thinking all the time as a lifesaver," added Mr Cloud. "It's great to see all the enjoyment the youngsters get from it."

Nigel Pickover was full of praise for the pair.

"It's a fantastic performance and to come first in the whole of the UK is an outstanding achievement," he said. "If only he started competing earlier he would have won more often!"