A quartet of outdoor swimmers have raised £4,280 for a local hospital charity fundraiser during a swim event.
AdvertisementBarry Leahey MBE, appeal fundraiser Lucy Clark and supporters Sarah Knowles and Greg Saul entered the mile event for Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Charity’s Children’s Appeal.
But high winds forced them to abandon the Great North Swim on Lake Windermere.
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They discovered hours before their swim, but to not jeopardise pledged donations, headed to Wigan’s Three Sisters Recreation Area, where Barry and Greg swam one and a half miles, and Lucy and Sarah swam two.
Fundraising Manager Roya Armstrong said: “Instead of feeling defeated, they rearranged to do their swimming challenge elsewhere and swam even further.
“It was a brilliant effort, and we’re very grateful for the funds they raised.”
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The swimmers’ places will be rolled over to next year’s Great North Swim.
The hospital charity team is working on raising £1 million for a shopping list of items to improve patient and family experience across children’s services at the Royal Preston Hospital, Chorley and South Ribble Hospital, and Leyland’s Broadoaks Child Development Centre.
It has plans to build a new outdoor play park assessment area and other centres.
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Those interested in entering should call Lucy on 01772 528500, with all swimmers receiving a Great North Swim t-shirt and medal at the end of their swim.
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