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The teen-aged “hero-of-the-lakes” from Norfolk County has managed to complete another milestone — and raise another couple hundred thousand dollars for her favourite charity in the process. Two years ago, Annaleise Carr became the youngest swimmer to cross Lake Ontario. It was a challenge inspired by a visit to a camp for children with cancer. And her support for Camp Trillium hasn’t waned a bit. As Annaleise Carr arrived at the Port Dover beach, she was greeted by hundreds of cheering fans.

Annaleise Carr called this her “never give up” swim: “To show kids at Camp Trillium anything is possible to never give up. When I sign books, I tell people pick something you love and never give up, so I wanted to show people I meant what I said, and never gave up.

Debbie Carr is Anneleise’s mom: “That’s been her motto through all of this. She wants to show the world she means it.”

Anneleise Carr: “I guess I’d just like to thank everyone for coming today.”

This was supposed to be a record-breaking 75 km crossing of Lake Erie, one she started in July. But bad weather kept Carr about thirty kilometres short of her goal. Her parents say she handled that disappointment maturely.

Jeff Carr is Anneleise’s dad: “We were surprised, we thought we were going to have to pick up the pieces, kind of, but it wasn’t like that at all.”

Debbie Carr: “She’s an amazing young lady. Some of the things she says and she does surprise us. I wish I could be more like her sometimes, and have the heart that she does, but I’m proud to be her mom.”

Rather than leave the swim unfinished, Carr hit the water where she left off, at Long Point on Sunday at about midnight. Twelve hours and 12 minutes later, at a pace of about three kilometres an hour, she emerged at the Port Dover beach, to thunderous cheers.

“What do you think she’ll think of the reception she’s getting in Port Dover?” Debbie Carr: “She’ll be humbled and embarrassed.”

The mayor says she put Norfolk on the map, but you wouldn’t know it.

Norfolk Mayor Dennis Travale: “She told me the other day she’s taking the Dale Carnegie Course. So she can have some confidence when she speaks. petite little girl, no ego there, she’s doing it for a great cause and she knows it’s not about her.”

Everybody here adores her.

Carr only has hours to recover before her first day of grade eleven. And the mayor heard she’s already thinking about the three great lakes she hasn’t conquered yet.

Debbie Carr: “We keep telling her she’s retired, but she keeps coming up with other ideas.”

Additional video: News Now coverage of Annaleise completing swim:

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