Care Homes Swim Channel To Raise Funds To Fight Cancer

Staff and friends from Dereham and Scarning care homes, Sanford House and Oak Manor, have swum the length of the English Channel to raise funds for Marie Curie Cancer Care.

This exhilarating test of endurance took place at Dereham Leisure Centre, with residents from Sanford House and Oak Manor cheering the swimmers on. Participants swam in relays and tallied their cumulative distances to achieve the goal of crossing the width of the Channel. While teams took turns putting their breaststroke and front crawl to work, residents and supporters waved home-made banners and enjoyed snacks and tea on the poolside.

The vibrant atmosphere among the crowd, and the sense of accomplishment among the swimmers, created a truly Olympic atmosphere.

Sanford House and Oak Manor are run by the family-owned Caring Homes Group, which has care homes across the UK. The homes, which provide residential, nursing and specialist dementia care in Dereham and Scarning in Norfolk, have strong ties with the Marie Curie Cancer Care charity and are passionate about raising money to support its work.

Oak Manor Home Manager, Anne Gregory, said:

“We’re so delighted the Channel swim was such a success and touched by the generosity of everyone who sponsored us.

“Raising money for an organisation as important as Marie Curie Cancer Care, makes all the hard work and aching muscles worthwhile!”

Emma Charlton, Marketing Director for Caring Homes, said:

“Our staff are passionate about ensuring residents play a central role in the community.

“Events like the Channel swim are an excellent way to raise money for fantastic causes like Marie Curie Cancer Care, and I know everyone had a wonderful time.”