Published: August 10, 2015
Shield presented to family in memory of Stert Island Swim participant
There was a poignant end to Sunday’s Stert Island Swim in Burnham-On-Sea on Sunday (August 9th) when a special shield was presented to the family of a successful young swimmer who died of cancer earlier this year.
Sunday’s event was held in memory of regular Stert Island Swim participant, Martin Lee, who passed away in April at the age of 38. He was a keen swimmer and came third in the race in both 2013 and 2014.
His father, Peter Lee, who is Burnham’s former Harbour Master, swam in Sunday’s Stert Island Swim in memory of his son.
He told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “Martin had cancer 12 years ago and came through it then, so we feel as though he had an extra life. He really loved this event. He swam it last year and came third while I finished third from last. I wanted to swim it again this year especially in his memory.”
A special shield was presented to Helen McCulloch, the fiancee of Martin, by Burnham’s Mayor Michael Clarke, right, and the organisers of the swim, Celia Miall and Martin Rogers from West Country Triathletes.
Celia told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “We wanted to do something special in memory of Martin, who always liked taking part in this event.”
“The new shield in his name will be presented each year from now on for a special entrant in this swim.”
Crowds lined Burnham’s seafront to watch the 77 swimmers take part in the town’s annual Stert Island Swim, as featured here.
The late Martin Lee is pictured above on the far left after coming third last year
