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Diving in for heart pump
10:06am Wednesday 3rd September 2008
A SWIMMING club is set to dive into action, braving cold, open waters for a 12 hour swimathon, to raise urgently needed cash for the Worcester Balloon Appeal.
The gruelling challenge will take place at Upton Warren’s Outdoor Education Centre, Wychbold, on Saturday, September 6, from 7am-7pm.
“Some people may think we’ve taken leave of our senses, but we thought an outdoor sponsored swim would be a great way to test our swimming ability and throw a lifeline to heart patients."
Kim Owen, of the South Worcestershire Lifesaving Club
The challenge is set to be a real test of both physical and mental stamina for over ten members taking part.
Kim Owen, a representative from the South Worcestershire Lifesaving Club, said: “Some people may think we’ve taken leave of our senses, but we thought an outdoor sponsored swim would be a great way to test our swimming ability and throw a lifeline to heart patients.
“One of our committee members recently lost his father, very suddenly, to a heart attack, and the ethos of the British Heart Foundation fits well with exercise and saving lives, so it seemed a natural beneficiary to our fundraising.
“We’re hoping to raise up to £1,000 through sponsorship towards the Worcester Balloon Appeal, which will help save and improve lives locally. Both myself and a few other members are hoping to swim for nine hours, covering up to 25 miles each.”
The British Heart Foundation is committed to preventing people’s lives being devastated by heart disease in Worcestershire.
It aims to raise £38,000 for a lifesaving intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) for the Worcestershire Royal Hospital.
An IABP is a mechanical device used to support the heart function of acutely ill patients. It is inserted into the aorta (the body’s main artery) and pumps in rhythm with the heart to increase cardiac output and blood flow, while reducing pressure on the heart.
It can also be used on high risk patients receiving treatment for narrowed and blocked coronary arteries.
If you have a fundraising idea and would like to help beat heart disease, or if you are interested in giving up a little free time to help save lives locally, please contact Sian Syddall, BHF fundraising volunteer manager for Worcestershire, on 01905 797807.
- Last week we featured Spa mum Sheryl Duffy who is also supporting the campaign after an intra aortic balloon pump saved her life when she was giving birth to her second child. Her condition was stabilised by the equipment after she suffered heart failure during a caesarean delivery in 2006.
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