Walsall fundraisers to swim equivalent distance of English Channel
Fundraisers are swimming the equivalent distance of the English Channel to raise money for elderly care at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust.
They will be taking part in the swim, a total of 1,344 lengths, at Walsall Gala Swimming and Fitness Centre on Sunday May 14, starting around 10.30am. Around 25 swimmers have agreed to take part in the event with some swimming a couple of lengths and others doing more than 100.
Among those to donate lengths is the trust's chief executive Richard Kirby who will swim 10.
The fundraiser was suggested by pathology services manager Sharon Dicken who regularly swims in open water and will be clocking up more than 150 lengths on the day herself.
She said: “I love swimming as it helps me forget about the day’s stresses plus it’s good exercise.
“I wanted to organise something for our Well Wishers charity that colleagues of all fitness levels and abilities could take part in and this seems ideal. The more people who signed up, the less lengths we’ve had to divide up between us!”
Fundraising manager Georgie Westley added: “Some of us have been going to the Gala regularly to practice our strokes and it’s fair to say we’ve got a collection of abilities – but the main thing is we’re all determined to raise as much money as we can through our sponsorship. I’d like to thank Walsall Council’s leisure department for its support and allowing us to use the pool for our big day.
“Our Well Wishers charity was set up to buy items above and beyond what the NHS can provide so donations have been used to refurbish our sensory room for young patients on Ward 21 Paediatric Assessment Unit and to buy active birthing beds for women in labour.”
Proceeds from next weekend’s event will go towards elderly care at the trust, with specific focus on supporting patients with Learning Disabilities.
Stuart Webb, the leisure facilities manager at Walsall Gala Swimming and Fitness Centre, said: “Charity swims are an excellent way of encouraging people to become and remain active, as well as raising money for a worthy cause.
“It has been great to see many participants using our facilities regularly in preparation for the big day, and hopefully they will continue to do so afterwards. I wish them the best of luck for their swim!”
Those inspired to fundraise for Well Wishers can visit www.walsallhealthcare.nhs.uk/charity or contact Ms Westley via email on georgie.westley@walsallhealthcare.nhs.uk
