A Rutland resident is getting ready to swim across Rutland Water for a local rescue centre.

Joanna Novak, a Rutland resident, enthusiastic swimmer and wildlife warrior, is getting ready to swim across Rutland Water for Prickleback Urchin Hedgehog Rescue Centre this weekend.

Joanna returned to the UK after 25 years of living in America in May, and moved to Rutland having never lived in the area before.

Joanna and her partner attended the Prickleback Charity Quiz Night after finding the event by fluke on our What's On page, and was inspired to do something for the locally run organisation.

Joanna said: "I signed up for my first open water swim with Mary at Inspire2tri. Well, it took me ten minutes to get into my wetsuit, I came out of the changing room all ready to go, to much laughter - it turns out that I had my wetsuit on the wrong way round!"

Despite this blunder, Joanna managed 1.2km on her first foray into open water swimming, and is continuing to work on her technique.

Joanna added: "I love a challenge and I love to raise money for animal rescues.

"I have been enchanted by hedgehogs since moving back to the UK, and it is horrifying that these beautiful and very helpful creatures are on the endangered list - we must do all we can to save them!

"In Rutland, we have an amazing couple (Rachel and Jay) who have converted their own home to a hedgehog rescue and are saving so many as well as teaching us all what we can do in our gardens to help. They are true hedgehog heroes!

"Their passion has inspired me to swim across Rutland Water on Saturday 6 August, and I hope they will inspire you to support me to raise funds so that they can continue to rescue and educate."

A local hedgehog resuce is being supported by a Rutland residents, who plans to swim across Rutland Water. Image credit: Prickleback Urchin Hedgehog Rescue.

Rachel and Jay have been running Prickleback Urchin Hedgehog Rescue from their home since July 2021, and have cared for nearly 200 hedgehogs in that time. 

The project started when the couple discovered that there were no hedgehog rescues in the county of Rutland committed to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of this unique animal which is now classed as 'vulnerable to extinction' (2019). They wanted to change this.

Now they work with local residents, volunteers and veterinary surgeries to help support Rutland's hedgehog community. 

They rely on donations to keep going, as well as the support of their enthusiastic supporters, who are always striving to find more interesting and challenging ways to fundraise for the local rescue.

Some of these wild and wacky challenges include a skydive, Snowdon climb and annual quiz night.

Now, another Prickleback supporter, Joanna, will be swimming across Rutland Water.

A Rutland resident will be swimming across Rutland Water to raise money for charity. Image credit: Joanna / Prickleback Urchin Hedgehog Rescue.

The Prickleback team said: "Our lovely supporter Joanna has set herself the challenge of swimming across Rutland water on 6 August, and is hoping to fundraise for us by doing so.  

"This is quite a challenge, as she has never done such a stretch of open water swimming before  

"I am sure you'll all join us in wishing her lots of luck."

You can support Joanna by donating on her GoFundMe page, where she has already raised £555 of her £600 (at the time of writing). 

The swim, from Whitwell to Normanton, will take place this weekend, 6 August 2023, as an organised event at Rutland Water. Joanna's swim will kick off at 7am, so head down and support her and the other swimmers taking the plunge!

Let us know about your own upcoming fundraising plans by emailing [email protected].

We look forward to hearing from you!