FOR most people, a swim will see them do a few lengths of the pool. But young Ned Taylor-Clague had other ideas … he went to extreme lengths – well, 500 of them, all in honour of his grandfather.
The 23-year-old was raising funds for Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice in Tilehurst. The palliative care centre looked after his grandfather, John Milward, during his final days, and also supported Ned as he grieved.
In all, the swimming challenge undertaken at Truro College in Cornwall raised more than £3,000 for the hospice’s work.
Ned, was born with Downs Syndrome and a congenital heart condition, and he has required several heart operations. He is currently awaiting the date for his next open-heart surgery.
And he also broke his elbows in two consecutive summers, which has resulted in him having titanium plates put into both arms.
Despite this, Ned was determined to take on this supersized challenge to honour his grandfather who was cared for at Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice over the summer of 2022.
As a child, Ned struggled with his speech, and John undertook a Makaton signing course so that he could communicate with Ned before his speech had developed – they had a close bond as a result.
“I needed to do it for him and for all my family, and to help other families,” Ned says.
“It has helped me to know I have done something for Gramps. He was the best. And the Duchess of Kent Hospice is an amazing place.
“I am so happy I could help.”
Of the challenge, Ned says he was “Happy, amazed and overwhelmed” to have completed it, and was thrilled that he raised so much for the hospice. “People have been so kind,” he says.
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Hannah Richards, community fundraising manager at Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice, says: “We are so incredibly proud of Ned and his incredible challenge that he set himself.
“To swim 500 lengths is no mean feat but having just had a heart operation earlier this year with another one in the coming months, is a real achievement.
“Ned is a true inspiration to all and we are so grateful to him for his donation, which will allow our nurses to care for those in their final days.”
