An Ontario teen is close to completing a significant goal – swimming across Lake Ontario to raise money to help make the dreams of sick children come true.
Ashleigh Beacham began the journey from Niagara-on-the-Lake shortly after 1 a.m. Sunday after cold water temperatures delayed the swim first scheduled to begin Friday evening.
The 15-year-old from Komoka, Ont., is completing the swim in support of Make-A-Wish Southwestern Ontario.
“Make-A-Wish is such a great organization," Beacham said in a statement released prior to the swim. "They do such amazing things for children. I feel that by swimming Lake Ontario and raising the money for these kids, I can make some wishes come true the same way my wishes are coming true by swimming this ultra marathon."
To date, Beacham has raised over $5,000 for the foundation.
“We’ll be glad to see her on land,” Elaine Blaney, Beacham’s grandmother, told CP24 Sunday evening at Marilyn Bell Park where friends and family were gathered to welcome the swimmer to shore.
Beacham is expected to arrive at the park later this evening.
