Charitable NHS employee surpasses £3,000 fundraising mark through an 11-hour swim circling Jersey

Marie-Helene Sanderson, an NHS worker from County Durham, has achieved an impressive feat by swimming around the coastline of Jersey. The 34-mile swim took Marie-Helene 10 hours and 55 minutes to complete, and she raised over £3,000 for the Just for Women Centre in Stanley.

Marie-Helene's journey began as a way to cope with stress and her demanding job in NHS mental health services. Swimming became a means of unwinding after long days of helping others, and it helped her regulate her emotions and calm her mind.

The swim around Jersey held a special emotional significance for Marie-Helene. She joked that she is "grumpy" when she doesn't swim, but the water around Jersey helped her feel alive and strong. Marie-Helene's father took her swimming when she was young, and she returned to Jersey as a tribute to him.

Marie-Helene's swim around Jersey was a challenging one. The currents pushed her on at Le Rocq, but going around Gorey felt like "ages". Despite the hard work, Marie-Helene enjoyed the swell and was "pleasantly surprised" by Jersey's 18°C water, having trained in water reaching 5°C.

Reaching Corbière felt "really special" to Marie-Helene, and she was assisted by members of the Jersey Long Distance Swimming Club throughout her swim. One of Marie-Helene's friends recommended swimming around Jersey as a challenge before crossing the Channel, and Marie-Helene had always wanted to swim across the Channel.

However, Marie-Helene gave up swimming as a child and struggled with nerves before her swim around Jersey. Her counsellor helped her connect swimming with her mental health, suggesting that she should feel as alive and strong on dry land as she does in the water.

Marie-Helene balanced being a single mum to two boys with a busy job in NHS mental health services while preparing for her swim. She received support from The Helene Wurlitzer Foundation of New Mexico during difficult times, and she donated the money she received to this organization.

Marie-Helene's swim around Jersey is a testament to her determination and resilience. She has shown that with hard work and perseverance, even the most challenging goals can be achieved.