Danny Hirst and Paul Mears to swim from Lanzarote to Fuerteventura to raise funds for Samantha Smith

Photo: Google, DigitalGlobe

Paul Mears and Danny Hirst will be swimming from Lanzarote (top) to Fuerteventura (bottom) to raise money for Samantha Smith

Danny Hirst and Paul Mears are preparing to swim across the Atlantic from Lanzarote to Fuerteventura to raise urgent funds towards Samantha Smith’s life-saving neurosurgery.

Sam, whose brain and spinal cord are being crushed under the weight of her own skull, flew out to Washington DC towards the end of June to meet with her surgeon, Dr Henderson, and undergo further medical tests before her provisional surgery date on Tuesday 11 July.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/110977/samantha-smith-receives-provisional-surgery-date-but-still-needs-your-help

A statement on the fundraising page reads: “Having come up short in the event four years ago, Dan Hirst has this time persuaded colleague Paul Mears to make the journey to dodge sharks and jellyfish, and complete this tough challenge. This is not a relay, we are both doing the full crossing.

“We are raising urgently needed funds for our friend Samantha Smith, a 30-year-old single mother of two who owned a business and worked hard to support her family as a Psychotherapist, until recent devastating news that her brain and spinal cord are being crushed under the weight of her skull.”

“None of your donations will be used to fund any part of the trip or entry fees.”

The duo will be swimming the 10 miles between two of the Canary Islands on 28 October.

To sponsor them, visit:

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/danny-paul-bigswim