James makes a splash for Hayley cash
An open-water swim in the turbulent Thames has raised hundreds for a much-loved charity.
James Dyson, 36, swam a gruelling 10k around London’s Royal Docks for Hayley’s Heroes.
The charity was set up by 31-year-old Hayley Martin, who died of bowel cancer in January.
Hayley, who was mum to twoyear-old Freddie, set up a support group for young adults with cancer.
The group continues to meet at Maidstone Hospital in a room named after her.
Mr Dyson has been an avid supporter of the cause since a chance meeting with Hayley’s close friend John Counsell.
Windy conditions took it out of the 36-year-old, but he completed the race in two hours and 17 minutes, raising £1,800.
To donate towards Simon’s swim, visit www.justgiving. com/crowdfunding/simonsswimming-dock-to-dock Little fighter Henry Cooper has lived up to his namesake after a battle for survival when he was born 17 weeks early.
The cheeky tot, from Maidstone, was cheering on his mum and other family members when they did a 5k run to raise money for the baby unit which saved his life.
On Boxing Day, 22 weeks and six days into her pregnancy, mum Nicki was admitted to Tunbridge Wells Hospital at Pembury with labour pains. At first she was first told there was nothing doctors could do because she was not yet 23 weeks. NHS guidelines are to only resuscitate babies born at 23 weeks or above because the chance of survival is close to zero before this. At 23 weeks it is 15%.
Nicki, who was expecting twin boys, was three hours away from being 23 weeks gestation. She was given drugs to stop the contractions and although these did not work, they did give her those all important few hours. The boys were born the following day and taken to the Oliver Fisher Special Care Baby Unit at