Woman receives award from Prime Minister for her fundraising swimming efforts
A Sidlesham woman with congenital muscular dystrophy ( CMD) has been given a Point of Light award by the Prime Minister in recognition of her fundraising efforts.
Lizzie Baily, who is chairman of the charity Wellspring West Sussex, has raised more than £2,300 for the Royal Brompton Hospital’s Covid-19 Emergency Fund by taking on a sponsored swimming challenge during the lockdown.
The 36-year-old, who lives on her family’s smallholding in Chalk Lane, said: “I feel very honoured to receive this award and I have been overwhelmed by the generous support I have received for my swimming challenge so far.
“I am really happy that I have been able to raise money for the Royal Brompton Hospital whose respiratory team look after me so well.”
Lizzie has been cared for by respiratory support team at the Royal Brompton Hospital in London for more than 25 years and they have helped her to keep strong and healthy with the ventilator she uses overnight.
The team has also looked after her sister Alexandra, who also had CMD and died in 2015, and some of her friends.
Lizzie said: “In May, I watched a Channel 4 news report about the work of some of the incredible staff who are working to treat very unwell patients with Covid-19 in ICU at the Royal Brompton Hospital, so I decided to raise money to help the hospital get the vital equipment they need to help patients with coronavirus.”
Since lockdown began Lizzie has been unable to see her physios, apart from on Zoom appointments, so every day (weather permitting) she has been doing half-hour hydrotherapy exercises in the pool in her garden.
She said: “These really help me to keep my body healthy, especially my respiratory system. I’m hoping to get to 100 swims before the end of the season and at my present rate this should be midSeptember.”
Every week day the Prime Minister recognises an inspirational volunteer with the Daily Point of Light award.
In his letter to Lizzie, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “Whether it is Captain Tom walking laps of his garden, or people delivering meals to our wonderful NHS workers, the nation has been infused with a collective desire to give back to those who look after us. Today, I want to thank you for your incredible fundraising efforts for the Royal Brompton Hospital.
“Your outdoor swims are a wonderful way of combining your daily exercise with your fundraising efforts. You are an inspiration to us all!
“So, on behalf of the whole country, thank you for all that you are doing for our fantastic NHS and congratulations on becoming the UK’S 1,406th Point of Light.”
Lizzie is aiming to raise £3,000 to buy one of 20 Intellispace Critical Care and Anaesthesia ( ICCA) systems needed to centralise the clinical data of a critically ill patient and help to better manage patient deterioration and aid faster and more accurate treatment.
Wellspring West Sussex provides support families with special needs and disabilities, as well as those who work with them.
As well as being its chairman, Lizzie is editor of the biannual newsletter and also runs Lizzie’s Craft Club from the art studio in her garden.
She said: “During lockdown I have missed being able to have face-to-face contact with the families and special needs children I work with for Wellspring West Sussex, but through our charity website and Facebook I have enjoyed keeping in contact with many of them.”
To donate to Lizzie’s swimming challenge fundraiser, visit www. rbhcharity.org/fundraisers/ lizzies-swimming-challenge