A MOTHER teamed up with her daughter to tackle the might of the River Thames and raise money for the hospital that helped rebuild her life after a stroke.

Marney Williams, 51, and daughter Charlotte, 17, joined 5,000 people in the British Gas Great London Swim on July 2.

The pair, of Durrell Road, Fulham, raised £1,500 for the Speech and Language Therapy department at Charing Cross Hospital by taking on the mile-long course along the banks of Royal Victoria Dock and past the Millennium Dome.

Mrs Williams, of Durrell Road, suffered a severe stroke in 2009 which left her unable to understand speech, read or speak herself – a condition called aphasia.

Her eldest daughter Louise, now 19, was at home at the time which meant she reached Charing Cross Hospital within the crucial initial three hours after a stroke and she has since made a full recovery.

She said: "I was lucky that my daughter was with me because if I had not got to the hospital in time then I may not have recovered as well as I have.

"I didn't suffer any physical damage from my stroke and it was just my language skills and my ability to interpret it that was totally affected.

"I truly feel I have a moral responsibility to give back to the hospital which helped me so much and raise awareness of aphasia."

Mrs Williams has worked as a volunteer at Charing Cross Hospital for two years and is a supporter and fundraiser for disability charity Connect.

While Charlotte, a keen triathlete who trains with Optima Racing Team, might be keen to get back in the water, she will not be joined by her mother.

Mrs Williams said: "It was an exciting challenge and the water was not that cold. I did quite well and came in the top-half of my age group. Saying that, though, I won't be doing it again in a hurry."

Further donations can be made by visiting www.justgiving.com/MarneyWilliams .