Brenda Fisher (1927-2022).

Brenda Fisher getting a hug from her mother following her record-breaking time in a cross-channel race on 16th August 1951. Her time was 12 hours 42 minutes, a new world record. A civic reception and a crowd of 60,000 awaited Brenda when she returned to Grimsby.

In 1956, Brenda won and broke records in a River Nile race and a Lake Ontario swim.

In 2018, Brenda received the British Empire Medal for her achievements in the sport of swimming. In 2017, a ‘blue plaque’ in her honour was unveiled at the Fishing Heritage Centre. The plaque was provided by the Grimsby, Cleethorpes and District Civic Society.

Brenda Fisher was born in Scartho in June 1927. She was the daughter of Albert Henry Fisher M.B.E., Grimsby trawler skipper, and Enid Fisher (née Winship). Brenda married Christopher Patrick Johnston, an inside forward for Grimsby Town, in 1954.

Brenda Fisher died on 2nd August 2022, aged 95. She was a true inspiration to the people of Grimsby and far beyond and will never be forgotten.