Swimmers raise nearly £2,000 for hospital
Fundraisers who took the plunge and agreed to swim the equivalent distance of the English Channel – without leaving Walsall – have netted almost £2,000 for charity.
A sponsored swim was held at Walsall Gala Swimming and Fitness Centre in aid of the Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust's Well Wishers charity which raises money for refurbishments of hospital wards.
Colleagues from the trust, along with their family and friends took the plunge and set themselves the challenge of completing 1,344 lengths in total between all 25 participants.
Walsall Healthcare Trust's chief executive Richard Kirby and nine-year-old Freddie White, son of dental nurse Lisa White, started the swimathon off while Walsall’s boxing star Martin Gethin, IBF Super Lightweight Champion, also clocked up some lengths.
The fundraiser was suggested by pathology services manager Sharon Dicken who did more than 150 lengths herself on the day.
Proceeds from the event are going towards elderly care at the trust - focusing on supporting patients with learning disabilities.
In total, £1866.90 was raised by participants.
Fundraising manager Georgie Westley said: “We actually managed to swim a couple of hundred extra lengths between us – everyone was fantastic on the day.
"I’d like to thank our colleague Sharon for suggesting the swim as it certainly made some of us determined to do more exercise as we prepared for the big day and Walsall Council’s leisure department kindly allowed us to use the pool for the event.
“There was a great atmosphere with everyone taking part and young Sophie Hutton visting the pool that day asked to take part and she added a length to the overall total.”
Some of the areas that Well Wishers donations have benefitted are refurbishment of a sensory room for young patients on Ward 21 Paediatric Assessment Unit, active birthing beds for women in labour and support for bereaved families.
Anyone interested in supporting the Well Wishers charity can visit www.walsallhealthcare.nhs.uk/charity or contact Georgie via email Georgie.westley@walsallhealthcare.nhs.uk
