13-05-2025
Island man's first marathon raises £800 for sea pool project
An Isle of Wight man has raised £800 for charity after completing his first marathon.
Ian Wallace raised the money for the Isle of Wight Sea Pool Project at the Southampton Marathon.
He started running two years ago after starting with Couch to 5k, and signed up for the Southampton marathon after seeing an advert.
In 2022, Ian was suffering from anxiety and depression, and started cold water swimming to help.
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He chose to do his first swim with experienced swimmers, and has since become involved in the community.
Ian said: "My first swim was transformational, I felt a rush unlike anything I had ever experienced.
"I couldn't really swim much, but I felt safe because I was with experienced sea swimmers.
"That first time sea swimming had an immediate impact on my mental health, and from then on I was hooked."
Ian chose the Isle of Wight Sea Pool Project as his charity for the marathon.
The project aims to create an accessible and sheltered tidal pool in Yaverland to help everyone experience swimming in nature.
Ian said: "'The Isle of Wight Sea Pool Project means so much to me.
"The accessibility of a tidal sea pool on the island will bring so many benefits to the whole community.
"I want this pool to happen.'
