A BOURNEMOUTH grandmother who returned to sea swimming after two battles with breast cancer is preparing to take part in the Pier to Pier swim.

Jackie Ingram, 66, stayed out of the water for seven years between her two battles with breast cancer in 2011 and 2018, after lumpectomies and the removal of lymph nodes led her whole body to swell and her confidence to plummet.

After undergoing a full mastectomy in 2018, without the possibility of reconstruction, Jackie resigned herself to never swimming again as she could not afford specialist swimwear and felt self-conscious about her body.

Now, she is preparing to take on the annual Bournemouth Pier to Pier Swim on Sunday, July 14, after receiving funding from the Dorset Cancer Care Foundation.

Last July, the Poole-based charity paid for a new swimsuit with built-in prosthetics and Jackie has been swimming around three times a week ever since.

She said: “When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer seven years ago I got through the surgery and treatment with the love and support of my friends and family. But I lost the confidence to do the thing that gave me the most joy – swimming in the ocean.

“Before cancer I swam all the time and even took part in races and charity swim events. But when I suffered acute lymphedema (swelling) in my arms and legs, I stopped swimming altogether and it was heartbreaking.”

Jackie is using the challenge to raise money for the British Heart Foundation, and to say thank you to Dorset Cancer Care Foundation for its support.

The charity's co-founder, Eve Went, said: "Seeing the sheer joy on Jackie’s face when she walks into the waves fills me with admiration for her and pride for what DCCF and all its fundraisers do for people here in Dorset.

“We hope Jackie’s story inspires even more Dorset cancer patients to seek our help and also to support our work.”

To support Jackie's cause, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/jackie-ingram1 and for more information on the Dorset Cancer Care Foundation visit dccf.co.uk