A PEEBLES open water swimmer is set to embark on the longest swim of her life.

Next month Caroline Connor will take on a 45-mile-long journey in Switzerland – 20 miles longer than she has gone before.

On August 5 Caroline will swim the length of Lake Geneva in a 28-hour-long non-stop swimming challenge.

To date just 18 non-wetsuit swimmers and one wetsuit swimmer have completed the Swiss swim successfully.

Having just completed a swim camp at Lake Annecy in France, Caroline feels prepared for the warmer waters and night swimming, particularly as she will be supported by a crew of eight people watching over her during the challenge.

Caroline said: “Every swim is different.

“No matter how much training I do, in rain, freezing temperatures and strong winds, there is always something that can catch you out.

“I can only say that I will do everything I can do to complete the swim.”

Prior to this latest ultra-marathon Caroline has also completed swims at Loch Lomond, Loch Ness, Loch Awe, two-way Windermere, and the English Channel.

Caroline, who works in the school office at Peebles High will be raising money for two groups.

She will raise funds for the Enhanced Provision Sunflower classroom at the high school to help the department cover the costs of specialist supplies.

She will also be supporting Quarriers, the mental health and resilience service which provides young people at the school with support.

Mel Haldane, principle teacher of Enhanced Provision, said: “Caroline has long been a supporter of our department.

“We are so grateful she has decided to do this for us and all of the Sunflower Class, both staff and pupils are right behind her!”

Caroline trains at Peebles Hydro and is helped by her “number one supporter”, husband Grahame.

Caroline has extended her thanks to the leisure staff at the hotel for their “invaluable” support.

While Caroline had set herself the original fundraising target of £1,000, she has already exceeded this.

To donate to the two causes Caroline is supporting, visit: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/caroline-connorLakeGeneva