Crewe healthcare workers raise £6,500 with London Marathon run

Zena Swansbury, 50, from Leighton, and Lynne Taylor, 40, from Haslington, completed the challenging marathon in five hours nine minutes and six hours four minutes respectfully.

Having both worked at Baywater Healthcare for over 25 years between them, the two are involved in day-to-day care of patients of lung disease which affects one in five people in the UK.

Zena and Lynne provide the patients with oxygen and ventilation and help patients to gain self-confidence and freedom which lung disease takes away from them.

Speaking about the reasons behind running the marathon, Lynne said: “I’ve been at Baywater healthcare for 15 years. I wanted to raise money to help fund research into lung disease. I also want to help raise awareness of the causes”.

Research shows that smoking is not the only reason behind the disease: breathing in harmful substances, fumes, dust and chemicals also contribute to developing lung disease.

Speaking about running the marathon, Zena said: “Over the past 10 years I’ve been helping to support patients with lung disease and the parents of paediatric patients. I’ve had a few injuries over past few weeks, but I feel it’s all been worth it to raise money for more awareness and research for lung patients”.

Kate Lyall, community fundraising manager for BLF, praised the pair on completing the marathon.

She said: “We’re incredibly grateful to Zena and Lynne for their fantastic support. It’s thanks to the amazing fundraising efforts of people like them and the rest of Team Breathe that we are able to continue our vital work, researching new treatments and supporting people living with lung disease across the UK”.

Donations can still be made at uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/zenaandlynne.

Anybody wishing to raise money for the BLF can visit blf.org.uk/events or call 02070 787912 to see the range of fundraising events hosted by the foundation.