BY HARRY WALSH

ANNE Marie Ward was celebrating yesterday, Thursday, after becoming the first Donegal woman to swim the English Channel.

The Portnablagh woman spent a little over 20 hours on Wednesday swimming across cold, rough water in what is considered by many to be the ultimate long distance swim. Anne Marie is hoping to raise as much as possible for the Donegal Hospice as a result of the channel swim.

Speaking to the Donegal News from Dover after her heroic swim Anne Marie said she was looking forward to get back home to Donegal later today, Friday.

"We've been here over a week now. Everyone has been great - the support team, the hotel - everyone. We had a wee champagne toast when we got to the hotel last night before I had a hot bath and went to bed.

"I'm stiff and sore today. The whole thing hasn't really sunk in yet," she said.

"We nearly lost it a couple of times to be honest but the boys on the boat were fantastic. It was frustrating at times to be so near the shore but thankfully we got there in the end," she added.

Anne Marie admitted that her legs were a 'wee bit wobbly' when she stood on French soil but the pain was soon forgotten on realising the enormity of the task she had just successfully completed.

"The next challenge is to get ready for work next Tuesday. I've taken up all my holidays to prepare for this swim," she laughed when asked about her next swimming challenge.

"I'm looking no further forward than that at this stage," she said.

Anne Marie works with the HSE Disability Services in Letterkenny.

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