A CLYNDER woman has pledged to swim 100 miles of open water this year for a cause close to her heart.

Victoria McQueen will brave the cold as she tackles the freezing Gare Loch in memory of late friend and Royal Marine Major Chris Moses.

The fund-raiser said: “I completed 12.6 miles of open water swimming for the RNLI in the Gare Loch and raised more than £1,000 in May, this year.

“I wanted to do something in 2022 that topped that and decided on 100 miles of open water swimming through the whole year.

“I know it’s going to be a real challenge and not easily achievable.”

Major Chris, from Cardross, was just 37 when he died suddenly in Rhu in January 2020 while undertaking work as a professional tree surgeon.

READ MORE: Hilltop cairn near Helensburgh renamed after late Royal Marine

She plans to raise cash in his name by donating proceeds to the Royal Marines Charity.

The organisation offers a range of services to both serving personnel, veterans and their families.

Victoria said: “The newly named Moses Cairn [at the top of Beinn a’Mhanaich] can be seen from my swims so I feel that he will be with me in spirit.”

Helensburgh Advertiser: The Moses Cairn at the top of Beinn a'MhanaichThe Moses Cairn at the top of Beinn a'Mhanaich

The challenge starts at dawn on January 1 in the Gare Loch - the place where Victoria completed her first daring feat.

She said she is looking forward to the challenge and already has 255 open swims under her belt.

Victoria added: “I am nervous about the weather, the tides, the jellyfish and of course the local harbour seals as sometimes they get a bit too close.”

READ MORE: Victoria braves 'Baltic' waters of the Gareloch to raise RNLI cash

The determined swimmer’s family think she’s “bonkers” but fully back her amazing efforts.

A JustGiving page has been set up which has a target of £1,000.

Donations have already flooded in with one supporter commenting: “You will absolutely smash this challenge.”

Another said: “I know you can do this.”

While one added: “Good luck.”

To contribute, visit Victoria McQueen on justgiving.com.

Previously the swimmer took to cold water swimming during lockdown after announcing plans for an epic effort to help lifeboat crews in Helensburgh and beyond.

She said: “I have now completed more than 110 swims in skins – just a swimming costume, no wetsuit – but I do wear diving gloves and boots and not forgetting a bobble hat.

“I’m mostly in the Gare Loch on my own. Sometimes my friend Ali joins me which is lovely to have some company, mainly at weekends.”