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September 2022 September 2022

ranging from lovely old vintage models to modern day high technology tractors, it With such a large group, there was of
certainly was a sight to behold! Upon returning to Throop Hollow Farm there was course a difference in swim speeds, but
a wood display by the Adams Axemen, an auction hosted by Symonds and the instructions quite rightly were to stick
Sampson, a tombola stall run by volunteers of Poole Hospital, live music, hog roast together with the lead swimmers and
and a bar. Dorset Police Rural Crime Team took the time to pop along to engage their kayaks stopping from time to time to
with some of our rural community and discuss rural crime awareness allow the others to catch up. I settled in
nicely in the middle of the pack and
We would like to thank everybody who came along to the event, the companies enjoyed my swim around 50 metres from
and people who sponsored and donated, and local communities who came the shoreline under the shear rock face
along to join in and support us, or who came out along the route to cheer the that surrounded Ballard Down.
tractors along! This money raised is in addition to the first tractor run in 2019, and
the campsite that Philip and Ben open up at Throop Hollow Farm during August I would stop a little while at certain points
where fundraising continues, and brings the total sum raised for the Dorset to take in the natural beauty around me.
Cancer Centre at Poole Hospital to £49,318.93
Philip and Ben went along
to Poole Hospital to
present a cheque and Seabirds were darting here and
met with Oncology there and some soaring using the
Consultant Dr Mike Bayne thermals. Seagulls nestled in the
and lung nurse specialist craggy cliff face -no doubt
Alison Brooks who cared wondering what we were up to!
for Jane Trim, Philips wife
and Bens mother. They
also met members from
the radiotherapy team
who gave a presentation
of the surface guided
radiotherapy (SGRT)
equipment for postural The swim out of Swanage Bay completed, we
video projected called turned left to strike out for Old Harry Rocks.
Vision RT. This is a ground- Without the protection of the bay the sea state
breaking module that Photo credit: UHD NHS Charity became more of a challenge with the force 4
makes surface guided wind blowing against the prevailing tide. No
radiotherapy simpler to use and will shorten the time for a patient to be on the problem for experienced open water swimmers
radiotherapy treatment couch improving their comfort and experience. This will but what was to come made life very interesting
benefit 25,000 radiotherapy treatments a year. The money raised from the for a while!
Purbeck Coast Tractor Run will go towards this equipment licence, which is not
within the standard specification of NHS England radiotherapy. The hospital As we edged nearer to Old Harry, the majesty
needs to raise £100k for this project and if you would like to know more or and magnificence of this place became clearer.
fundraise towards it, please contact the University Hospitals Dorset NHS Charity Most people I know have seen it from the land
department. and of course it is a truly wonderful iconic sight.
From the sea it takes on a new level. Just being
there in that moment was a truly unforgettable
experience. Old Harry had been there for millions
of years, and I, for just the blink of an eyelid!

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