Swimmer with terminal cancer prepares for ‘major challenge’

Image: From left to right Nina Taylor, Wave Active aquatics coordinator, Michelle Evans, Wave Active swimming teacher, and Reg Coomber, at Hillbrow Health and Wellbeing swimming pool in Meads.

A determined fundraiser who has terminal cancer has been battling his health difficulties to train for a charity swim taking place next week.

Reg Coomber, 65, who lives in Old Town, Eastbourne, has been a regular swimmer at Hillbrow Health and Wellbeing over the past five months to prepare for the event and has already raised more than £13,000 in sponsorship for his chosen charities.

His challenge on Thursday (October 3) is to swim 300 metres, which is 12 lengths of the pool.

“This may not seem a huge distance but it has taken me five months to train for - so different from how fit I was pre-cancer. I have lost 26kg and have plateaued at 52kg,” said Reg. “This is a major challenge and both my care teams are amazed that I have managed it.”

Reg was diagnosed with throat cancer in December 2022. He said: “After six weeks of daily radiotherapy along with chemotherapy sessions I went into remission in late June, and as soon as I was able, I re-started my membership as swimming was pivotal to my rehab, which was a huge success.

“I was so happy to have beaten the disease and, even though I knew that my life would never be the same again due to some permanent side effects, was looking forward to getting fit again and enjoying life.

“Unfortunately, in December 2023 I was told that the cancer had returned, but this time to the base of my skull. Due to its location, it could not be operated on or removed, another course of radiotherapy didn't help, and sadly in February this year it was confirmed that the disease was terminal and could not be cured.

“To say I was devastated would be an understatement.

“I am now under the care of St Wilfred's Hospice and the Macmillan Cancer Support team at Eastbourne District General Hospital, but determined to fight on until the end even though I know I can't win, as I am now stage 4, and time is against me.”

Wave Active staff at Hillbrow Health and Wellbeing have been supporting Reg to achieve his swimming goal.

Duncan Kerr, Chief Executive of Wave Active, said: “Reg is a true inspiration, and we are full of admiration for him. He has shown great determination in preparing for his swimming challenge while raising vital funds for the two charities that have been supporting him following his cancer diagnosis. We are delighted to be hosting his charity swim and will be there cheering him on.”

All funds raised will be split between St Wilfred’s Hospice and East Sussex Healthcare NHS Charity, which supports local hospitals, with the money specifically going to cancer departments for equipment, training and financial help for patients in need.

To donate to Reg’s challenge, visit his fundraising page at Reg's fundraiser for St Wilfrid's Hospice & East Sussex Healthcare NHS.