The League of Friends at the Orthopaedic Hospital in Gobowen held a hugely successful sponsored swimathon on Saturday to launch the charity’s ‘Rub-a-dub-dub’ appeal, which to benefit the hydrotherapy pool.

The fundraising event was opened by RJAH chief executive, Mark Brandreth, who swam the first 30 lengths.

In total a group of 34 swimmers, ranging from 65 years to 18 months old, swam a total of 2,290 lengths or 24 miles. That’s the equivalent of swimming from the RJAH to Chester.

The greatest number of lengths was achieved by Sam Hollins, RJAH pharmacy technician, who managed an impressive 250 lengths.

An extra 14 participants from the Disabled Swimming Club also clocked up lengths in aid of the swimathon during two Disabled Swimming Club sessions that ran prior to the event.

Victoria Sugden, League of Friends charity director, said: “What a fantastic team effort, I couldn’t be more grateful to our amazing swimmers who really gave it their all.

"It is incredibly difficult to swim in water that is 33 degrees but they did it.

"We really wanted to highlight the valuable facility we have here at RJAH because hydrotherapy is significant in rehabilitation and managing long term conditions”.

Pledges raised totalled £3,000 which is an amazing kick start to the charity’s appeal.

Victoria added: “We believe that it is so important to have launched the ‘Rub-a-dub-dub’ appeal to provide green energy and improve the facilities at the pool.

"The hydrotherapy pool was built 15 years ago with £1.5 million of funds raised by The League of Friends, at that time the ‘Make a Splash’ appeal was led by Annabelle Simpson, our president, who sadly passed away in 2019. We want to continue Annabelle’s wonderful work and keep improving this world class facility.”

Nicky Dee, whose father is currently a patient on the hospital's Midland Centre for Spinal Injuries, said: “The RJAH is a wonderful hospital and MCSI along with the League of Friends have been so kind and supportive to my dad so helping to raise vital funds is our way of saying a big thank you and is the least I can do.

"Amy, Laura and myself had a great time swimming 8k, which was topped off by having my dad poolside to support everyone’s efforts.”

Anna Unsworth, community fundraising officer, added: “We must say a massive thank you to our fabulous event sponsor EvaStore Document Management, also to Lanyon Bowdler, Lion Quays Hotel & Spa and Box of Goodness who provided the post swim goodies for our swimmers and to Moreton Hall for lending us their lane ropes. Each organisation has been invaluable in ensuring a successful swimathon”.

Fundraising activities to support this appeal will take place in the coming months.

To support the appeal please see the Just Giving page at www.justgiving.com/campaign/RubaDubDubAppeal or call/email 01691 404401 or rjah.leagueoffriends@nhs.net to get involved from purchasing a lapel pins or pens to running an event, everything helps.