An Edgware woman has died while training for a cancer charity swimming fundraiser.

Rozelle Dashwood, 56, had been swimming at Bushey Grove Leisure Centre at the weekend. Two people saw her face-down in the water and called the lifeguard, who pulled her out. When paramedics arrived on the scene, they discovered a faint heartbeat but could not revive her.

Her husband Michael, 58, said: “This was her third Swimathon and she was raising money for Marie Curie Cancer Care. This was a big hobby of hers and she was a regular swimmer.”

As a tribute, Mr Dashwood and the couple’s three grown-up children will participate in the Swimathon. “We have registered as the Rozelle Dashwood family memorial team and we plan to swim and raise money in her honour. We have had fantastic support from our shul [Edgware Masorti], which has said it will take in donations for us made out to Marie Curie.”

The Dashwoods had been married for 36 years and also have two grandchildren. The funeral was at Cheshunt this week.