Two children have taken part in swimming fundraising challenges to thank a hospital which has treated them since they were babies.
Mason Hicks, three, and Charlie Wilford, eight, took the plunge to raise money for Chelsea Children’s Hospital, based within Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.
Between them they raised more than £600 for the Chelsea Children’s Hospital Charity.
Mason, from Ramsey in Essex, was born with a with three hernias, two holes in the heart and a heart murmur, while Charlie was born with multiple issues, mainly to do with his bowel and bladder.
With the help of armbands, Mason, who still has regular check-ups at the hospital, swam widths for 30 minutes on June 16.
His mum Megan said: “He had two successful operations at Chelsea Children’s Hospital to repair the hernias.
"Thankfully one of the holes in his heart closed naturally but he was left with one hole and a murmur.
“Mason still attends Chelsea and Westminster to have ECG and heart scans and see his heart specialist.
“He wanted to raise money to help other children in the hospital.”
Speaking about his fundraising effort, she said: “I am so proud of him.
“He is such a kind and caring little boy and through all his appointments, procedures and operations he has never complained.
“He was so excited to be doing this and couldn’t wait to get in the pool.
“From the cardio ward to the children’s wards, to the Neonatal Unit, Intensive Care Unit and the surgical team, we are so grateful to everyone at Chelsea and Westminster.
“All money raised will go towards the brilliant Chelsea Children’s Hospital Charity to buy equipment and to help the children’s wards, so other children can receive the support and care that Mason received.”
Charlie, from Chatham in Kent, managed to swim further than he has ever done before in his fundraising challenge, also on June 16.
His mum Rachel, a scrub nurse, said: “Charlie was born with multiple problems, mainly to do with his bowels and bladder.
“After a lot of searching we found a team of amazing doctors and nurses at Chelsea Children’s Hospital who could help him with pioneering surgery.
"Charlie has received amazing care here since he was a newborn.
“Despite his complex needs, Charlie started swimming lessons last autumn, and has just earned his 25m badge.
“He decided that he would like to raise money to help babies who had problems like him by swimming 100 metres - four times what he had managed previously.
“But on the day, Charlie did just that. He swam the four lengths back to back, in just over five minutes!”
Their efforts were praised by charity manager Rebecca McLoughlin, who said, “We are so impressed and grateful that Charlie and Mason took on this challenge for us, and really admire their grit and determination."
To find out more about Chelsea Children’s Hospital Charity visit www.chelchilcharity.org.uk to find out more.
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