Former Team GB swimmer asks Essex to swim for Saint Francis Hospice

Debbie Treadway, Sue Treadway and Valerie McAleer with former GB swimmer and organiser Tina Briden.

Submitted by Saint Francis Hospice

A former GB swimmer is hoping that the good people of Essex will get wetsuit-ready this summer to help raise money for Saint Francis Hospice.

Alongside her son Alfie and her daughter Lucy, Tina Briden is inviting people to sign up for a unique fundraising challenge to lake swim for Saint Francis Hospice.

The fundraiser will take place on Saturday, June 18 at Trifarm in Chelmsford, Essex. Entrants will be able to take part in a sponsored 400m, 800m or 1600m swim around the lake to raise money for the much-loved hospice.

Tina and her team put on similar event last year and are hoping it will become an annual occurrence in memory of her parents, Maisie and Stan Burke.

Tina has a personal connection with Saint Francis Hospice as its Hospice at Home team cared for her mum Maisie before she died.

Tina said: “When the Hospice at Home nurses arrived to care for mum, it was like an angel had descended. They were so calm, they offered us respite in our home so we could rest.

"Their presence made us feel secure and gave us the comfort that we were doing the right thing to look after her properly."

Speaking about the swim, Tina said: "We had such an amazing day last year and all the support we received from family and friends was wonderful.

“There are so many benefits to open water swimming and this is the perfect opportunity for people to try it if they haven’t done so before.”

Tina’s cousin Johnnie Saava had so much fun taking part for the first time last year, he and his mum Julie are already in training for this year’s event.

Johnnie said: "After taking part in the Saint Francis Hospice charity swim last year, I instantly caught the open water swimming bug. My mum has always enjoyed swimming and when she came along to support us during the charity swim, she felt inspired to give it a try.

"We’ve now purchased our own wetsuits and have been visiting Trifarm whenever we are free at the weekends so we are ready for the next Saint Francis Hospice swim."

To celebrate taking part, each swimmer will receive a special medal.

Wetsuits will also be available on the day, all of which have been gratefully donated by the team at Tri-N-Swim Well, with the proceeds from the wetsuit hire being also being donated to the hospice.

To sign up to swim, click here.

Saint Francis Hospice provides care and support to more than 4,000 people across the boroughs of Havering, Barking & Dagenham, Redbridge and Brentwood, Essex.

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