The ‘human radiator’
After dropping out of a family holiday to avoid breaking the pre-lockdown 'rule of six,' record breaking Channel swimmer John Myatt decided to go for a long walk instead - along Hadrian’s Wall wearing only a pair of Speedos...and a Roman helmet!
Braving icy temperatures in his eye-catching skimpy attire, quality data validation administrator John raised more than a few eyebrows among other Roman wall walkers on the 91-mile, four-day trek, to raise money for the Rugby for Heroes charity.
Not that the cold is a problem for John - his swimming achievements include a 1,000-metre endurance event in Murmansk, Russia, when the water was literally freezing. He was also a member of Team GB's entry in the third International Ice Swimming Championships in March last year and was crowned champion in his age group.
John also holds the world record time for a two-way two-man Cross Channel swim, which he achieved in July 2018 with his friend Mark Leighton. Despite numerous jellyfish stings and difficult sea conditions, the dynamic duo swam the 42 miles in 22 hours 49 minutes.
‘My wife says I'm like a human radiator,’ John told Glos News. ‘I've got well used to swimming in icy cold water over the last couple of years. In fact, I've got an old whisky barrel in my garden, half embedded into the ground, and an industrial ice making machine. I often fill the barrel with ice and spend 10 minutes sitting in it! Tolerating the cold is all about will power and focus. You can adapt to the cold - in fact I now hate being warm in the house!’
John came up with the idea for his Hadrian's Wall walk when the family realised that a planned boating holiday on the Norfolk Broads would break social-distancing rules.
‘When we realised that we'd be breaking the rule of six if we all went to the Broads on holiday I offered to drop out because I'd already been on a swimming holiday in the Scillies during the summer and the wife and children stayed at home,’ he said.
‘I've always wanted to walk Hadrian's Wall so I thought it would be an ideal opportunity to do it. Then I thought: why not raise some money at the same time and a friend gave me the idea for the Speedos. My uncle, Alan Myatt, the town crier of Gloucester, suggested the Roman helmet as we have a proud Roman heritage in Gloucester.
‘It has been a privilege to raise money and support Rugby for Heroes whose aim is to help the transition of military personnel into Civvy Street. The charity has a great track record and has successfully put at least 160 ex-servicemen and women through level 2 coaching courses providing them with pivotal roles within local rugby clubs both at grass roots and adult level.
‘I’m really pleased with the money I’ve raised so far. I really put my body though the mill. If I’m honest, I completely underestimated what a struggle it would be walking an average daily distance of 23 miles wearing Speedos and donning a backpack and Roman helmet with a combined weight of around 23kg.
‘I think the harshness of that walk, as I’m still recovering from aching joints and inflammation, will sit with me for a long time to come, but the joy of meeting so many welcoming people who openly offered support, left me feeling enriched and with a great sense of pride for what I have achieved.’
John more than doubled his £1,000 sponsorship target - bringing in £2,500 at the last count. If you would like to help John raise even more money, you can visit his Go Fund Me page here.
