Lomas goes to extreme lengths

Optometrist Andrew Lomas has made a splash for charity by swimming the equivalent distance of Lake Iliamna, Alaska, at his local pool in West Yorkshire. Lomas swam a total of 1,584 lengths within a 12 week period, clocking up 13 hours and 30 minutes of swimming time.

He has so far collected just short of £250 for the Macular Disease Society, and said: 'I decided to participate in the event for three reasons. Firstly our local pool is under threat of closure and the more it's used the safer it may be, secondly to raise money for a good cause and finally to keep fit. I wanted to support an optical charity but not necessarily one of the high profile ones. I have regular contact with patients affected by AMD to a lesser or greater extent, so The Macular Disease Society seemed the obvious choice.' To donate towards his efforts visit www.justgiving.com/Andrew-Lomas.