Pevensey woman taking part in sea swim challenge for Brain Tumour research

Hope Louise, a former Wetherspoons manager of 22 years, was diagnosed with a meningioma in June 2012 after suffering with double vision, tiredness, headaches and pain in her eyes. 

A month later she underwent a 12-hour surgery to have the tumour removed and has been having regular check-ups ever since.

She remains stable but continues to suffer with double vision as a result of the nerves in her eyes being severed. She also has neuralgia as a result of a brain injury she sustained, but finds cold water immersion helps to some extent.

Hope Louise after surgery

The mother-of-two co-founded The Pevensey Plungers in November last year.

The group, which brings people together every morning to experience the therapeutic benefits of cold-water immersion, has developed a large following, with more than 200 people attending its monthly full moon plunges and thousands more following their activities online.

Inspired by her own experience with brain tumour, which started ten years ago, Hope has taken on the Brain Tumour Research charity’s Swim Challenge in August to help find a cure for the disease.

Hope Louise and daughter Biba

After deciding to swim 10km throughout the month, the 47-year-old decided to turn her morning Pevensey Bay plunge into a daily swim to one of the bay’s 500-metre marker buoys, a challenge that has gained in popularity and now involves others from her group.

Hope, who is now aiming to raise at least £2,740, said: “I saw the challenge and thought ‘right, I’m going to swim’. 

“I’d only plunged before so thought I’d swim to the buoy every day I could and within a month I’d reach the 10km easily enough but I didn’t expect other people to join in, which has been lovely. 

“No one goes out alone; it’s like having a whole other family.

Hope Louise in the sea

“I’d thought I’d raise maybe £200 and anything more would be a bonus but within five days I’d reached £500 and now I’m over £1,000, with the help of others. 

“One lady baked cakes and made £45 for me by selling them on the beach whilst another created a painting called ‘sea goddess’ and auctioned it off for £60. 

“Everyone’s got involved and it’s really blown my mind. 

“I know so many people who haven’t been as lucky as me, many of whom were younger than I was. 

Plungers and sea swimmers in Pevensey Bay

“Brain tumours seem to get forgotten about more often than not but they’re so common and there are so many different types that we need to do more to understand them. 

“I’m grateful I’m alive and know I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for past research so I want to support future research and help to raise more awareness.”

 To support Hope’s fundraising, visit www.facebook.com/donate/493360932558109.