THE daughter of a police chief who battled through Covid-19 has done a sponsored swim to raise money for a county family who suffered terrible injuries in a house fire.
Fifteen-year-old Jess Dolby challenged herself to do a one kilometre swim on the River Avon at Fladbury.
Setting herself a target of £500, Jess smashed that total, so far raising £880 – and counting.
Last month fire ripped through the Lilac Close home of the Brookes family in Redditch, destroying their house and leaving members of the family with terrible injuries.
It was a tragedy that touched the family of West Midlands Police Chief Superintendent Phil Dolby, who himself lay in a coma for two weeks as he battled coronavirus at Worcestershire Royal Hospital.
Writing on twitter on Monday he said: “Yesterday my youngest did a 1k river swim, with supporting flotilla, to raise almost £700 (so far) for a local family close to her who lost everything and were injured in a terrible house fire recently.
“Went up river on a paddle board before swimming all the way back.”
Jess’s mum Mary, who set up the Just Giving page for the family, said: “In June of this year the Brookes family not only lost everything but also suffered terrible injuries.
“Every contribution will not only help physically but also help them know people care and so lift their spirits.
“Jess, knowing the family, felt very sad when she found out and felt compelled to do something to help.
“All the money raised will be given to the family to spend as they choose. Thank you for supporting this family.”
To contribute to Jess’s fund-raising total visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/jess-riverswim-fundraiser?utm_id=2&utm_term=nryYKk2D5
