'I'm doing the Dragon Boat Race in memory of my brother - I want to remember the lake for something positive'
”I want to remember the lake for something positive”
An East Ardsley woman is preparing to take on a rowing challenge to remember her brother who drowned in the same water over 20 years ago.
Nicole Copland, 33, will take part in the Martin House Dragon Boat Race in Waterloo Lake, Roundhay Park, on April 26 in a team assembled from garden centre staff across Yorkshire.
She was inspired to participate in the event in memory of her brother Chris, who drowned at just 15 years old alongside his friend David Cullen after the pair got into difficulty in Waterloo Lake.
“In 2005, my brother died in Roundhay Park and it’s just been a tragic memory,” Nicole told the Yorkshire Evening Post.
“I want to bring his memory up in a good cause rather than it being the tragedy that happened there.”
Nicole had originally planned to take part in the Martin House Dragon Boat Race last year, but the event was postponed due to safety concerns after blue-green algae was found in the lake.
Nicole said she was "devastated" when she found out the race was postponed and that she’d been eagerly waiting for the confirmation of a new date.
She’s been training so far by running five times a week, alongside her 11-year-old daughter Leela who has been “really looking forward” to the race day.
Nicole’s ultimate ambition is to make the Dragon Boat Race a celebration of Chris’ life.
“I want to remember the lake for something positive rather than what happened.
“He died in June so it is just coming up to the date and it’d be nice to get his name remembered again.”
As well as this, she wants to use the event to raise more awareness around the importance of water safety.
Nicole said: “There are a lot of people who died even just last year. (Water safety) seems like it’s such an easy thing to do but no-one does it.
“If something bad happens, it’s not just them who are going to be suffering.”
The RNLI encourage anyone considering open water swimming to ensure they are prepared beforehand by checking the weather and tides, choosing the right spot to swim, and having a friend close by.
As well as this, they advise swimmers to ensure you have a means of calling for help if you fall into trouble.
Maddie Massey, special events team manager at Martin House Children’s Hospice, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to Nicole for taking part in the Dragon Boat Race. Her story is a powerful reminder of the strength and bravery shown by families, and it means so much to see her supporting the hospice in this way.
“We were all disappointed to have to cancel last year’s event, but it means we’ll be cheering even louder for Nicole and the other participants when they take to the water this month. It should be a fantastic day, with lots of fun to be had, and crucial funds raised for our hospice.”
“Every pound raised will help us continue providing specialist care and support to children, young people and their families across West, North and East Yorkshire, when they need it most. We provide free support to more than 500 children and young people each year, costing around £12 million, and events like this are vital to fund that care.”
To support Nicole’s efforts, donate to her fundraiser here.