Sep 04 2020: Swimmer Franz raises £3,500 for Lost Chord

IT started with the wish to swim 100 lengths and raise perhaps £1,000 for leading South Yorkshire dementia charity Lost Chord.

But more than 1,000 lengths later, retired QC Franz Muller is still swimming and fundraising, with a target that has now reached £3,500!

And he’s determined to continue his daily aquatic challenge to raise funds for the charity that is so close to his heart.

Lost Chord is the organisation that provides vital interactive musical sessions for people living with dementia in care homes and day centres, both across the region and nationally.

But with those activities put on fold by the COVID-19 pandemic, Lost Chord has been focusing instead on providing online music videos, created specially by the charity’s network of professional musicians.

Franz is the husband of Lost Chord Helena Muller and when he heard how money was needed to continue this groundbreaking work he decided to take the plunge - even though he is himself only just recovering from a stroke at the age of 81!

“Franz had a stroke last year and has only just been able to start walking unaided again,” said Helena.

“He also suffers with dementia himself and is determined to try and make a difference to the lives of all his fellow suffers.

Franz is swimming ever day in the pool at the family’s home near Rotherham and is delighted with the public response to his hard work in the water.

“During lockdown Lost Chord has been able to continue to provide music to those with dementia in care homes with online music sessions via YouTube and Franz wants to ensure these continue until the musicians can return safely to perform live,” Helena said.

“With a lot of determination and support, he has been able to swim several lengths every day, which is as good for him as it is for Lost Chord!

“I think we have just about lost count of how many lengths he has completed and I am so proud of what he is achieving every day - it’s so typical of him that he has gone for it with such determination and drive.”

To sponsor Franz simply visit virginmoneygiving.com and look up Lost Chord.