A Love Letter to the team and users at the Marlborough Leisure Centre, from Dr Reg Eyre

A Love Letter!

Sirs,

Last January I was hauled out of the Marlborough Leisure Centre Swimming pool having stopped swimming caused by a cardiac arrest. Swimmers and staff came swiftly to my aid applying CPR and the defibrillator, telephoning for the ambulance, (which was in the High Street), and preparing me for the paramedics. I wrote up this story using the information gleaned from people who saw this incident.

Me? I did not have a clue since I blacked out and did not come round until the ambulance was halfway to Swindon Hospital. I hope I thanked everyone who helped and I tried to explain that the Leisure Centre was a friendly community and well worth joining to increase personal fitness.

I started swimming again on the 25th July by only doing breaststroke, not suited to me, but it allowed the lifeguards to see that I was breathing and not struggling. This week I have started overarm crawl and was surprised by the number of other swimmers asking how I was and telling me what they did for me during the ‘incident’.

The warmth and joy they showed made me realise just how strong the sense of community really is. Perhaps I really did not understand completely what had happened that day and I went home overcome by the feelings expressed. Then today, Wednesday 3rd August, Mark (at the Leisure Centre) exclaimed his surprise that I was back swimming and that he had hauled me out of the pool. He also recounted several minor details, which I have now taken on board.

I really am a lucky chap who has had a remarkable recovery from an incident that could have seen my demise. I need to express again my thanks to all who played their part in my continued existence.
Thank you all!

Yours,

Dr Reg Eyre
Lockeridge

Postscript:
All I am waiting for now is the DVLA to restore my driving and riding licence. Their web site clearly states that after such an incident, the licence will be revoked for six months from the date an internal defibrillator was fitted, 11th January. The 11th July passed by and we are rapidly approaching 11th August with no sign of my licence being returned. The lack of communication is a deafening silence so I have now written a formal letter of complaint, with a copy sent to the MP, Danny Kruger. Will this trigger a response and the return of my driving licence? Who knows, but I wonder how much longer the DVLA can claim that the Covid pandemic hinders them?