Gemma Smith, a consultant in elderly care and stroke, and Lesley Charman, a physiotherapist, completed the one-mile Great North Swim in Windermere on Sunday, June 14, to raise funds for County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust.
The pair are aiming to raise at least £1,000 to help furnish a comfortable hospital quiet room for patients and their families.
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Gemma and Lesley before the swim (Image: Supplied)
Dr Smith said: “We bring them into a room to talk but it needs much more comfortable surroundings, perhaps artwork for the walls, to improve conditions at one of the most difficult times of their lives.
“Stroke is a devastating thing, life-limiting, often brings profound disabilities, and leads to some very difficult conversations with relatives.”
Funds raised will support enhancements on Ward 4 at Bishop Auckland Hospital and Ward 2 at University Hospital of North Durham.
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Gemma (Image: Supplied)
Dr Smith, who has worked with the NHS trust since 2017 and trained in the North East, said the idea for the swim came from her colleague, who encouraged her to try outdoor swimming.
She said: “Lesley does a lot of outdoor activities and got me into swimming.
“I saw a sign for the Great North Swim and am really excited about it.
“I did the Great North Run in 2003, and I remember how fantastic the camaraderie was.
“So, we will see how much money we can raise.”
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Left, Gemma at work (Image: Supplied)
Although she has swum since childhood, Dr Smith admitted she’s not the fastest in the water.
She said: “My husband Andrew is a keen swimmer, he used to swim for county, but he laughs at my technique.
“I am very slow; in fact, I was once asked to move from the medium to the slow lane by a lifeguard.
“One time when I was swimming outdoors, I was overtaken by my own tow float.”
Despite this, after a 12-week training plan, she completed the swim in one hour and six minutes, while Ms Charman finished in 51 minutes.
Dr Smith said: “It was a great event, such a lovely atmosphere.
“Our fundraising is sitting around £1,600 at the moment, which is fantastic.”
She also praised the support from colleagues, former staff, patients, and the Stroke Association.
Dr Smith said: “Stroke is so multi-disciplinary, and the support has come from right across the trust, even staff who have left and some patients, and the Stroke Association, which is amazing.
“I fell in love with working with stroke patients after being on a placement.
“It is very fast paced as it’s time-dependent.
“The quicker we can act the more we can prevent disability.
“Then it moves into a phase similar to elderly care and it is lovely to see patients come out of the other end and hear about their little triumphs.
“We are there to help people, so it doesn’t take over their lives.”
Rich Jones, charity manager at the trust, said the funds would make a meaningful difference to patient care.
Mr Jones said: “We are incredibly grateful to Gemma and Lesley for taking on the Great North Swim in support of our stroke services.
“As a consultant and physio working closely with patients and their families every day, they understand how important it is to provide comfortable, welcoming spaces during some of the most difficult moments people face.
“The funds Gemma and Lesley raise will help us improve facilities on our stroke wards, creating environments that offer greater comfort, privacy, and dignity for patients and their loved ones.
“We’d also like to thank everyone who has supported their fundraising efforts so far.”
Supporters can donate via their GoFundMe page at www.gofundme.com/f/swim-for-durham-stroke-service.
Donations can also be made by texting YOURNHS to 70480 to donate £5. Texts cost £5 plus one standard rate message.
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