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Islanders with Dementia complete 30km swim

Islanders with Dementia complete 30km swim

Wednesday 12 July 2023

Islanders with Dementia complete 30km swim

Wednesday 12 July 2023


A group of swimmers with Dementia have swum the equivalent distance of Gorey to Carteret in France.

14 swimmers, some who have Dementia, took part in weekly social swims – and clocked up 30 kilometres while representing local charity, Dementia Jersey.

The charity supports around 1,600 Islanders with Dementia. The number of Islanders suffering from Dementia is expected to double within a generation – according to the charity.

Interim CEO at Dementia Jersey Wendy Buckley said: "We’ve had 14 members and volunteers swimming weekly, ably supported by the Occupational Therapists, who have all enjoyed participating in this unique challenge, which has been great to be part of.

"Swimming can be a great way to keep active and socialise, helping people with dementia live well for longer."

According to the charity, Dementia is a term used to describes symptoms of many disorders that affect the brain.

Dementia_swim_1.jpg

Pictured: "Swimming can be a great way to keep active and socialise."

The swims were held at the Aquasplash pool and the swimmers were known as the SplashChat group.

Contract Manager of Aquasplash, Steve Dunford said: "We are delighted to be able to provide this space for the members of Dementia Jersey’s Splash Chat group. Aquasplash is committed to providing access to our swimming pool for everyone, and we were very excited to hear about the group’s challenge.

"We have been watching each week as they get closer and closer to their 30km target and been cheering them on from poolside."

READ MORE...

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