Lea Wharf Medical Centre are living up to their Active Practice status

Lea Wharf Medical Centre is proudly demonstrating its commitment to being an Active Practice, with Rachael Hunt, the Practice Business Manager, leading the way with her incredible achievement. On New Year’s Eve, Rachael completed a remarkable challenge at Grange Paddocks pool, swimming a total of 1,000,000 metres (or 1000 kilometres) throughout 2024! Averaging 3km per day, she swam the equivalent of crossing the English Channel 30 times. At one point, Rachael swam more than 55km over the course of just 4 days – an impressive accomplishment! 

Rachael’s inspiration for the challenge came after she was unable to join team Panathlon in the Swim Serpentine event in London’s Hyde Park due to a previous injury. Instead, she set this personal goal to highlight the importance of physical activity, not only for her own health but also to motivate others to embrace movement and its many benefits. Rachael’s efforts were appreciated by Panathlon Chair, Liz Hails, on the Panathlon website.  

Rachael commented on her challenge:

“I have had first-hand experience of the joy of sport particularly in recent years as I have explored the gift of re-discovering swimming as an adult. The opportunity to help open up this gift for others is too important to ignore. I would love your help to raise money to support everyone who would like to embrace activity to do so as I recognise the huge benefits to physical and mental wellbeing that come from movement and comradery of activity”.

As a Practice Manager of a medical centre, Rachael is at the forefront of inspiring both her colleagues and patients to be more active, even if taking a small step towards moving more. Lea Wharf Medical Centre, part of Hertford & Rurals Primary Care Network (PCN), is an Active Practice and this is one of the many ways they are evidencing putting movement at the core of their thinking and practice.  

Rachael’s achievement is not only a personal triumph but also a reflection of Lea Wharf’s broader commitment to promoting health and well-being within the community. You can still support Rachael and make a donation via her fundraising page. 

If your practice/PCN are interested in becoming an Active Practice, HSP are here to help you so please contact us at hsphealth@herts.ac.uk 

Congratulations to Rachael for her dedication and success!