Poole doctor raises over £14,000 as he faces gruelling solo Channel swim for end-of-life charity

Chris Elfes, a dedicated NHS doctor, is preparing to celebrate his 60th birthday and partial retirement by undertaking a gruelling solo swim across the English Channel. Chris, a passionate advocate for talking about and planning for the end of life, is taking on this monumental challenge to raise money and awareness for the work of Compassion in Dying, a national charity close to his heart. Chris has already raised over £14,000 in just a few weeks and is calling on supporters far and wide to help him reach his target of £15,000.

Serving the people of Dorset as a general practitioner for over 30 years, Chris has witnessed first-hand the importance of conversations around end-of-life care. Compassion in Dying is a registered charity that supports people to make informed choices, start honest conversations about death and dying with their loved ones, and record and revisit their wishes whenever they want, for free.

For Chris, the swim will be the culmination of over three years of training. With the arduous 21-mile-swim starting at night and likely to take him more than 16 hours to complete, it will test his endurance and determination to the fullest. As Chris approaches the final stretch of his fundraising goal, he urges local people to back his challenge by donating to Compassion in Dying and by visiting their website to learn more about end-of-life planning.

Chris said:

“Over my many years as a GP in Dorset, I have seen the difference planning ahead for the end of life can make to people. I’ve witnessed the pain, confusion and suffering that can be caused when patients don’t have the opportunity to discuss and record their end-of-life wishes. Conversely, when patients do get the time and support to articulate what’s important to them, I’ve seen how it brings clarity, peace of mind, and a sense of control to both them and their families. That’s why I’m so committed to raising awareness – and money – for Compassion in Dying.”

Recent research by Compassion in Dying revealed that an overwhelming eight in 10 of us would prioritise quality over quantity of life in our final years, and nine in 10 want control over our end-of-life decisions – either by making decisions in advance – or through a loved one. Yet, despite these preferences, fewer than one in 10 of us have documented our wishes, for instance by making a living will or by appointing a lasting power of attorney for health and welfare. This means our wishes could go unknown and unfollowed at the end of our life.

Chris added:

“Starting the conversation is so important, and Compassion in Dying is there to offer independent, professional support to help you work out where to begin, where to get more information, and how to start those important discussions and record what matters most to you.

“More people have climbed Everest than have swum the English Channel solo, it’s a rare thing to achieve, but I’m going to give it everything I have. The training has been hard, and my family has had to put up with me always ‘going swimming’, but this is a cause that I think is vitally important. If this swim results in just one person having a good conversation with their family or friends about their end-of-life wishes, it will have been worth it.”

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For more information, comment or interview requests with Chris Elfes and Compassion in Dying spokespeople, please contact Molly Pike, Senior Media & Campaigns Officer at Compassion in Dying at Molly.Pike@compassionindying.org.uk or call 07769357209.