Elaine's inspiring swim: bringing vital care home

Why I chose to take part in the Great North Swim challenge:

"I knew I needed to make a change. I was struggling to walk up the stairs sometimes, and I've always enjoyed swimming, so I decided to take the leap.  The Great North Swim seemed like the perfect way to improve my fitness while supporting the York Frailty Virtual Unit to purchase equipment to enhance our patients’ home care."

What was my fitness level like before signing-up to the Great North Swim:

"My fitness level was, frankly, shocking! Signing up for the swim provided the motivation I needed. The structured training made a huge difference, both physically and mentally. I felt so much better overall."

Making time for training:

"We're all busy, but I committed to a routine. I swam for an hour at 6:30 am every morning before work. I went from barely swimming to completing 70 lengths in that time. You don't need months of training; I achieved my goal in eight weeks."

My most memorable moment:

"The atmosphere was incredible, with everyone cheering each other on. When it got tough, I thought about our patients, many of whom would love to do this but can't. My most memorable moment was my four-year-old grandson running to me, giving me a huge hug, and saying how proud he was. That meant everything."

The impact of funding:

"The £1,200 raised will support us to purchase new equipment. This equipment allows us to conduct vital assessments in patients' homes, reducing the need for hospital visits. This is especially important for our elderly patients, who often prefer to stay in familiar surroundings. Families are incredibly grateful for the extra time they get with their loved ones at home."

I'd recommend this event to anyone:

"If I can do it, anyone can! Believe in yourself and focus on the feeling of accomplishment. Seeing my family's pride was priceless."