By ‘Record breaking’ Grimsby long-distance swimmer Brenda Fisher has sadly died
The famous Grimsby swimmer, Brenda Fisher, a long-distance swimmer who has received multiple awards, received a special award from the Channel Swimming Association in May. At their recent annual presentation dinner, Brenda’s 1951 world record channel crossing swim was cited as another platinum jubilee to celebrate.
Brenda is understood to have died on August 2, in hospital following two strokes, at the age of 95. She was born in Grimsby in 1927.
Brenda turned 95 this year in June, and according to CSA records was the oldest living channel swimmer. Brenda spent many years training for her open water events in Grimsby’s South Alexandra Dock.
In 1951, she won the Ladies’ Daily Mail Channel Race from France to England, attracting a crowd of 60,000 on her return to Grimsby. Brenda never lost her interest in swimming and was always proud to represent Grimsby.
She was made honorary president of the Grimsby and Cleethorpes Water Rats Open Water Swimming Club and recently presented a cheque of £240 to Margaret Smith for the RNLI.
A book was written in 2015, celebrating her achievements and life, as Author Lucy Wood, captured Brenda’s life entitled ‘Blonde in Deep Water: Brenda Fisher: The Story of a Channel Swimmer’
Speaking on behalf of the family, Lucy Wood spoke of how ‘shocked’ she was to hear of her passing.
“It was such a privilege, she was so modest, despite breaking records , in her later life she survived breast cancer and was so resilient.
“Her story needed to be told and she brought fame to Grimsby, she previously received ‘Freedom Of The Borough’ and had also met Elvis Presley.
“I’m lucky to have become her friend.”
