British expat in Dubai swimming first

32-year-old British athlete Jamie Atherton has achieved the feat of becoming the first swimmer to go around the famed Palm Jumeirah.

Atherton, who works as an account manager with the AME Info group, finished the charity swim in just under five-and-a-half hours and did so as a tribute to his close friend John Ratcliffe who earlier this year passed away from bowel cancer.

On his completion of the course, Atherton was greeted on shore by family and friends along with a host of holidaymakers who watched on with curiosity from the beachfront at Dubai’s One & Only Royal Mirage hotel. Atherton’s wife Karen, 32, was on hand to congratulate the athlete on his memorable achievement, as was the pair’s young daughter Mila.

So far Atherton has managed to raise over £4,000 in funds that will go towards the Bowel Cancer UK group but he has expressed the wish that his feat will inspire more people to become aware of the foundation and to donate in helping his reach his goal of £10,000. Donations are able to be made by visiting his Palm Jumeriah swim website.

Speaking of the swim, Lancashire born Atherton said that he was as happy as could be with the effort, claiming he could not have hoped for a better result. Atherton was elated to become the first to make the swim around the island but pointed out that his achievement was more about honouring his friend and raising money for Bowel Cancer UK. Atherton felt that his swim was a fitting tribute and one that would inspire his friend and supporters alike. He added that John would likely be smiling down on him as much as he was smiling himself.