Mearns Today, UK
May 6 2008

BRAVE ANGIE TO SWIM IN AID OF ARMENIA

« Previous « PreviousNext » Next »View GalleryA STONEHAVEN woman left
unable to propel herself through water after breaking her back is
embarking on a sponsored swim for charity.

Following an accident eight years ago, Angie Mutch was told that there
was no chance of her being able to swim again.

But having undertaken lessons at Stonehaven Leisure Centre she has
defied the experts.

Angie can currently manage around 10 lengths, but by the middle of May
she is aiming to treble that total to raise money for medical care in
Armenia.

In October, Angie will lead a team of two nurses and two doctors to
the Eastern European country, located between Turkey and Azerbaijan.

Armenia is still reeling from a major earthquake in 1988 and Angie is
desperate to help with the rebuilding programme which is still
ongoing.
She said: "Eighty percent of medical staff in the country were killed
when hospitals collapsed. As a result no medical help was immediately
available. Whole villages were completely wiped out.

"Because hospitals had to be rebuilt, and new nurses and doctors
trained, most medical help in Armenia has come from other
countries. The country now has a home-grown staff that needs
specialist training in trauma and earthquake care.

"We have been asked to train nursing and medical staff advanced trauma
care, both pre-hospital and hospital-based. The team will also be
teaching social care and first aid to villagers, school teachers,
church members and village leaders in the main earthquake zone."

Angie is hoping to raise £3,000, not only to cover her travel costs
but to provide medical equipment for a village.

To do this she has learned to swim with a specially adapted stroke,
which is necessary because her back injury makes it impossible for her
head to go under water.

Angie is hoping to attract as many sponsors as possible for her
attempt to swim 30 lengths, currently scheduled for Monday May 12 in
Stonehaven.
She is also eager to hear from any businesses which may be interested
in helping impoverished villagers in Armenia.

Angie can be contacted on 07786 514615. Sponsor forms are also
available in Stonehaven’s Toymaster store on Allardice Street.

ANGIE-TO-SWIM-IN.4045536.jp