DARING RESIDENTS MAKE MUIR OF A SPLASH AS THEY ‘SWIM THE CHANNEL’
ENERGETIC residents are making a splash as they dive into ‘swimming the channel’ with Muir.
Independent Living residents at Muir’s Fusilier Court scheme in Bury are staying active by doing as many virtual swimming exercises as it takes for them to reach the 21 miles to France from Dover.
They aim to emulate Captain William Webb, the first person to swim the channel in 1875.
However, they admit they won’t be getting their feet quite as wet as the comfort of Fusilier Court remains just too tempting to leave in the face of COVID-19 and the onset of colder months.
“Residents are all doing swimming exercises from the comfort of their armchairs to help stay active,” Sian Kilcoyne, Muir’s Fusilier Court scheme manager said.
“This is a good way to remain fit and healthy as options are limited for residents due to COVID-19 restrictions.
“There are about 20 breast strokes in a 25-metre length of a swimming pool.
“So, we thought we’d make it a little more interesting, have some fun, and see if we could all ‘swim the channel’ as a team.”
Fusilier Court residents have had to be more patient than most as restrictions in Bury have remained some of the tightest in the country during COVID-19.
But Sian says the resilience of residents has “been amazing”.
“Morale has always been very good,” said Sian.
They’ve helped to keep each other’s spirits up and there’s been a really strong sense of community and support.
“I’m proud to have been in lockdown with them.”