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Chamber and committees

Congratulations to Suzy Rook on Historic Arctic Swim and Inspiring Fundraising Efforts

  • Submitted by: Finlay Carson, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
  • Date lodged: Friday, 12 June 2026
  • Motion type: Standard Motion
  • Motion reference: S7M-00312

That the Parliament congratulates Suzy Rook, a former Scottish international rugby player, on her extraordinary and historic achievement in becoming the first Scottish person to swim one kilometre in the Arctic Ocean; recognises that she completed this remarkable endurance challenge in sub-minus 4C temperatures without a wetsuit, relying only on a standard swimming costume and goggles, and doing so on her birthday, demonstrating what it believes to be exceptional courage, resilience and determination; acknowledges her distinguished sporting career, in which she earned 13 caps for the Scotland Women's National Rugby Team, between 2011 and 2013, as a front-row forward, a British Nomads cap against South Africa and represented clubs including Kirkcaldy, Dundee Morgan, Murrayfield Wanderers and Stewartry, with notable highlights including playing at Twickenham and Murrayfield; commends her for undertaking this Arctic challenge following her recovery from thyroid cancer and for using her experience to inspire others and raise vital funds for causes close to her heart, namely Back Onside, which provides crucial mental health support, particularly in rural communities, and the Butterfly Thyroid Cancer Trust, which supports those affected by thyroid cancer; recognises her ongoing contribution to her local community in Dumfries and Galloway as a justice social worker, a co-founder of the Crossmichael Swim Queens and through her work with the Loch Ken Trust; applauds all those who have supported her fundraising efforts; celebrates the awareness she has raised for mental health and cancer support, and wishes Suzy every success in her continued work, both in her community and as an inspirational advocate for resilience, recovery and charitable endeavour.


Supported by: Senga Beresford, Dawn Black, Russell Findlay, Meghan Gallacher, Liam Kerr, Julie MacDougall, Paul Sweeney