Royal Papworth Hospital’s always ensurses that it puts patients and their families at the heart of everything it does. The Charity is committed to supporting patients and their carers and seeks to enhance the support it provides to the Hospital. Charitable funds have enabled the Hospital to provide care beyond that of NHS funding alone, enhancing the Hospital’s status as the UK’s leading provider of specialist cardiothoracic care and the country’s main heart and lung transplant centre.

Papworth became a big part of my families life in 1997 when my dad (Now 72) had his first heart attack at the young age of 50.  I am now 48 and have had the odd blip with my heart (Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation) over the last 15 years.  I have had to receive treatment including a cardio version, ablation and now a lifelong regime of medication to keep me ticking over.  Papworth have supported us both through this and it is time for me to pay back by raising as much money as I can for them and the good work that they do.

My family has had the best care from this hospital and without that specialist care I would have missed the opportunity of sharing an additional 22 years of my Dad's life (the age of my grown up daughter).  God willing I will have many more years with my wonderful Dad.  He never had that opportunity as he lost his Dad at 47 to heart disease.  I have many friends and family that have lost loved ones to heart disease.  I would like to raise funds to ensure that precious research continues.  Life is precious and something never to be taken for granted.

This swim will be the 2nd of 7.  We swam as a team from Northern Ireland to Scotland in June 2016 gaining a Guinness World Record along the way.  It is now time to put my training into practice and be part of the great team (OW Ladies) to swim another 42 miles from Los Angeles to Catalina and back.

Please support me as you never know when the research and medical care offered by this amazing hospital may be needed.