NHS workers in winter swimming world record attempt

The specialist NHS workers will attempt a swimming World Record attempt

Two NHS workers have left Lincolnshire's hospital corridors to attempt a swimming World Record attempt in Tallinn, Estonia.

Nicola Housam and Frances Mills from Boston will be competing in the outdoor Winter Swimming World Championships.

Taking place from 4 March until 10 March 2024, water temperatures will be just above freezing at 0.7C.

The pair are founding members of the Boston Bluetits Chill Swimmers.

Ms Housam, an Advanced Clinical Practitioner in Dermatology, will be competing in the 25m and 50m breast stroke, as well as a front crawl relay.

Ms Mills, a Specialist Family Practitioner, is competing in the 25m front crawl and the front crawl relay.

Both women are lifelong swimmers and members and organisers of the Boston Park Run.

'Take on personal challenges'

They will also be attempting a world record in Noblessner Harbour for the largest ever winter swimming relay.

Bluetits Chill Swimmers is an inclusive group of 100,000 members worldwide who partake in cold water swimming.

Fifty-eight other Bluetits Chill Swimmers from across England will be joining Ms Housam and Ms Mills in the journey to Tallinn.

Ms Mills said: "We are not doing this to win medals, but instead to take on personal challenges in the most beautiful of settings."

Ms Housam said: "When swimming pools closed during the pandemic, I often found myself in the River Witham with my long-suffering husband serving as my lifeguard, lookout, and kit monitor."

United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust (ULHT) said before going cold water swimming, it is important to conduct your own research thoroughly and join a local group to ensure you swim safely.