In early June a local fundraiser will brave the chilly water of Lake Windermere to support the care provided at Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice by completing the Great North Swim.
Nicola Parker, from Milnthorpe, will be undertaking the 1 mile challenge over the weekend of Friday 12 to Sunday 14 June to support Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice.
Nicola explained, “I have recently had my second little girl and wanted to get back into shape. I have never taken part in a sponsored event before, I am usually the one sponsoring other people. But I decided I would like to challenge myself and raise money for charity at the same time. Both me and my friend read about different events we could take part in before we decided on the Great North Swim.
“There are different distances, so we decided to do the 1 mile swim. As a child I loved to swim. I have however, not swam properly since I was probably in primary school. I have also never swam in open water, so this really is a challenge for us.”
The money raised by Nicola will help the Cumbrian charity provide the highest standards of care, support and activities to local children and young adults with life limiting illnesses. This care and compassion is extended to all of the patients’ family, friends and carers.
Nicola continued, “You can just pay for your entry fee and swim, however I thought I would like to raise money for a good cause. My friend is raising money for Alzheimers, due to it being a charity close to her heart. I didn’t have a charity in mind and considered other large charities, however I know they receive a lot of support as I have sponsored people raising money for such charities over the years. I wanted to raise money for a smaller charity, one that is less known, and a charity for children, something more local where a small amount can make a big difference.
“I looked through the internet for Cumbrian charities and came across the Children’s Hospice. Just reading the information on the website brought a tear to my eye. I have two beautiful little girls who are my absolute world. I feel it is a great charity where the money would be well spent, no matter how little I raised.”
Everybody taking part in an event over the Great North Swim weekend will have their own reason, purpose and memory for undertaking one of the swimming challenges. Whether they are completing a personal challenge or fundraising in aid of a local charity they will all create a memory which will last a life time.
Nicola added, “I am really looking forward to challenging myself. My friend and I meet several times a week when the children are in bed to train in our local pool. We started only swimming lengths and have built up over time. I have never done anything like this before.
“I would say I am least looking forward to the lake. I have never swam in open water before, I won’t even swim in the sea. I am hoping to do a bit of a practice swim in a few weeks though to get the feel for it.”
The kindness, support and generosity of Nicola’s friends, family and work colleagues has already helped her raise money towards her fundraising target in aid of Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice. If you would like to sponsor Nicola as she undertakes the 1 mile Great North Swim please visit www.justgiving.com/Nicola-Parker9/
Notes to editor:
Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice, formerly Eden House Children’s Hospice, was developed following the Jigsaw Appeal, an initiative of Eden Valley Hospice to develop the children’s day care unit at the Hospice into a four bedded residential unit.
Jigsaw provides care for children and young people with life limiting or life threatening conditions.
Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice, also offers day care allowing up to six children and/or young people to attend on a daily basis.
All services are provided by highly qualified staff and a large team of committed volunteers. We recognise that it is only through the generosity of local people that we are able to continue to provide the highest standard of care, free of charge to our patients and their families.
For further information on Hospice services visit our website www.jigsawhospice.org.uk
Eden Valley Hospice 