In the swim for charity
A NORTH Devon woman forced by injury and illness to learn to walk again twice within a year has been putting something back by taking part in charity swims. Salon owner Rosemarie Harding, 50, of Landkey first suffered a badly broken leg in a ski-ing acc
A NORTH Devon woman forced by injury and illness to learn to walk again twice within a year has been "putting something back" by taking part in charity swims.
Salon owner Rosemarie Harding, 50, of Landkey first suffered a badly broken leg in a ski-ing accident three years ago. She suffered five fractures and had two plates and 12 pins inserted.
It was four months before should could put weight on her leg and 12 months before she could walk without an aid.
Then came Guillain-Barre syndrome, an acute disease of the nervous system leading to paralysis, loss of sensation and pain. For a week she was totally paralysed and in hospital for three weeks.
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It has taken her another 12 months to get over it, although she is still left with fatigue and numbness.
"I can walk, but not for long distances and not run. I could not run to avoid a bus, let alone run for one," she said. So Rosemarie has taken to the water for her charity fund raising.
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First a 25-mile swim across the English Channel - carried out in a swimming pool a bit at a time. That raised money for the spinal injuries charity Aspire.
Then came the swim back, this time in aid of the Guillain-Barre (GBS) charity.
Rosemarie's latest effort was a personal challenge, to swim a mile in cold, open water.
She carried this out as one of 420 swimmers taking part in an event at Roadford Reservoir last week in aid of Hospiscare. Participants had to be able to swim a mile in under an hour. Rosemarie beat all her expectations by finishing in 41 minutes 50 seconds and raised �318 in the process. She has vowed to return for next year's event.
If anyone wants to make a donation towards any of Rosemarie's charity fund raising they can contact her at 1550 Hair and Beauty in Boutport Street, Barnstaple.
