Deloitte Guernsey’s Marielle Fritsch took part in the cross-channel Paradise Island Swim at the start of the month, swimming 5km from Guernsey to Herm to raise money for the Brain Tumour Charity.
Marielle, who is a tax consultant in Deloitte’s Guernsey team, raised £1,420 for the charity, who offered her family help and support when Marielle’s niece was diagnosed with a brain tumour at four years old.
The Brain Tumour Charity is one of the world’s leading charities, and the largest dedicated funder of research into brain tumours globally. They are set on finding new treatments, offering the highest level of support and driving urgent change.
When discussing her swim, Marielle said: “I practically grew up in a swimming pool in South Africa and used to represent South Africa in swimming in my younger years. However, in 2008 I decided to give up swimming and focus on my career. In September 2020 a friend of mine encouraged me to take part in the Castle Swim in Guernsey and it was during this event that I regained my love for the water, albeit this time in the sea and not in the pool.
“I heard about the Herm swim from my sister-in-law and decided that would be my goal for 2021. I have always felt extremely comfortable in the water but have never faced the challenge of a long open water swim. Given everything going on in the world I thought it would be beneficial for me both mentally and physically to have something to focus on and train for. I’m incredibly grateful to Deloitte for allowing me to achieve a healthy work-life balance, doing two things I love.”
Marielle started training for the swim in January, and despite the second lockdown halting some of her training sessions, she was back training as soon as she was able. She began open water swimming in May, swimming at 6.30am every Wednesday morning.
Balancing training with a family and a career is no easy feat. Marielle starts her day at 5.30am, exercising before her son wakes up for school and then her working day begins.
Marielle said: “My training at a younger age taught me invaluable time management skills and I am able to prioritise when needed. I know what my workload is and when I need to complete certain tasks by. I ensure that when I am working, I am working 100%, when I am training, I am focused 100% and when I am with my son, I have no other distractions.
“This compartmentalisation allows me to be present with the activity at hand whether it be work, training or play time. It is a difficult balance and often I am not able to keep all the balls in the air, but I hate wasting time as I know that it could be put to better use. It all comes down to making time for the things you actually want to and need to do, and this has always something I have been very good at doing.”
Jo Huxtable, Partner at Deloitte in Guernsey added: “We are so proud of Marielle for completing her swim, and we are honoured to have been able to support her through this journey. She is a fantastic role model to us all. As a team, we have contributed to raising money for her swim and for such a worthy organisation.”
