A local dad has raised over £3,000 from a sponsored open-water swim to thank the team at the Royal United Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) which saved his son’s life.
Harry Bodymore, manager of Warminster Sports Centre, said he was ‘blown away’ by the support he received from family, friends and the local community after smashing his £2,000 target and raising £3,220.
The money will go to the NICU which saved his son Hunter’s life when he was born prematurely at just 27 weeks, weighing just 2lb 2oz and needing 12 minutes of CPR.
Harry had planned to take part in the Pier-to-Pier Swim from Bournemouth to Boscombe in July but bad weather forced organisers to call off the event. Determined not to let supporters down, Harry headed to Vobster Quay instead – an open-water swimming venue near Frome – to complete the challenge in his own way.
“It was obviously a shame I couldn’t do the actual event,” Harry said. “But I made the most out of the situation. I ended up swimming three kilometres in an hour and four minutes – quite a bit further than the original 2.2 km of the pier-to-pier swim. With no waves to battle, I thought I’d push it a little further!”
The local community has rallied behind Harry’s efforts, helping him raise the £3,220.
“I was blown away by the support,” he said. “So many individuals, businesses, customers, family and friends have contributed. It’s been amazing.”
The funds will go directly to the RUH’s NICU, where Hunter spent 69 days after being born prematurely. Hunter was too weak to be held, which meant all Harry could do was hold his son’s small finger. Hunter’s mum and dad, Harry and Amber, visited the RUH’s NICU last week to hand over the £3,220 cheque.
“This is our way of saying thank you,” Harry added. “The NICU team couldn’t have done any more for us. They gave Hunter the best possible start, and now he’s thriving – he’s just had his third birthday.”
To find out more about Harry’s fundraising and to donate, visit:
https://www.justgiving.com/page/amber-harry-hunter
• Harry and his family would like to thank the following local businesses for their support: JH Floors, MH Plastering and Building Services, RJH Transport Services Ltd, The Boston Blade, The Bridal Lounge, Philips Plastering, Wings Direct, Tim Iljazi Driving School, Jess Bryar Tattoo, Hawk Exterior Cleaning, Hunter Automotive Ltd, Ransomes Sunblinds, White Horse Cafe, Woolley Lamb Crochet, CR2 Security Group, Oz Barbers, All Star Cleaning, Balboa Champion Movers, White Horse View, Lisa Williams Beauty, Levinson Manufacturing Ltd, S&T Moving & Removal Service, TB Valeting & Detailing, Remington Flooring.
