Channel swim for diabetes man

August 18th 2005

A man with diabetes swam the English Channel - with his nurse in tow, it has been revealed.

Nurse Jo Butler was in the boat that stayed alongside swimmer Patrick Turner as he made his bid to cross the Channel.

Ms Butler was in the boat for 14 hours alongside the swimmer - attempting to monitor his health without being able to check his blood sugar levels.

Mr Turner, a schoolteacher, aged 39, made the swim to raise money for a diabetes centre at St Peter’s Hospital, Surrey.

The nurse is a diabetes consultant in Wandsworth but became involved because her daughter is a patient at St Peter’s.

She told the Nursing Standard how Mr Turner was on the verge of giving up after four hours. He was revived with hot chocolate and glucose powder.

When he completed the swim, she said, "We were elated. He was just knackered. It is amazing he has done it at all. It gives encouragement and sets an example for other people with diabetes."

Mr Turner said: "I would not have been able to do it without her. Her main job was to help in an emergency, but she tested my glucose levels afterwards as well. She was outstanding."

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