Keighley tenant set to make a splash for charity
Farish House resident Mavis Richardson is ready to make a splash for a local charity.
Next week (14th May) 'Magic Mavis' - as she is known to her friends – will start a three day big swim at the Keighley pool to celebrate her 83rd birthday.
She is training three times a week to swim the equivalent of her age in pool lengths.
Mavis is raising funds for Dementia Friendly Keighley and has already smashed her £1000 target with online donations topping £1,500.
Her challenge is made all the more tough because she lives with constant back pain and numbness in her feet due to an accident five years ago. It means she has to use a walking frame to get around.
Mavis loves swimming and has raised thousands of pounds for different causes. This includes a charity swim for Sue Ryder Manorlands hospice, when she was a mere 79 year old!
Mavis has kept fit since childhood, becoming a professional dancer at 18 and then a dance teacher. Her career took a new direction when she trained to be a lay reader and work for the church in Sheffield.
She also helps organise social events and music shows to bring residents at Farish House together and is planning a celebration event in June to raise funds towards dementia care.
She said: "It’s wonderful to see support from across the community and a special thank you to everyone at my church, Keighley Shared Church.
"I’m aiming to reach £2000 now and really make a difference to the lives of those with dementia and their carers."
Sinade Galindo, Scheme Coordinator at Farish House said: "Everyone is right behind Mavis.
"She is a real inspiration and we will be cheering Mavis on next week."
Mavis will be joined by Sandra Kelly from Dementia Friendly Keighley on the last day of their swim.
You can show your support online for Mavis at www.mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/ianbraithwaite1