Dr Nick Murch, consultant in acute medicine at the Royal Free London, has become the fifth person in the world and only the second person in the UK to successfully swim Lake Geneva.

Nick, who swam the English Channel earlier in the year, finished Lake Geneva, a 73 kilometre swim, in 32 hours 46 minutes and 33 seconds. 

Nick said: “It is probably the most difficult thing I have ever done. There were some times where I thought I could not go on, especially after the 10th hour, when I developed a pain in my right shoulder and the current had picked up. The judging is really harsh, so you can’t touch the boat which makes it difficult to get any rest. 

“My team were amazing; they kept me going and gave me hot drinks to stop me from freezing in the water. My social media was blowing up and it was great to hear all the support. 

“I trained for about 12 months for the swim; the English Channel swim was practically a training session compared to Geneva. At the end of it I was shattered, I could barely move and even now I am still recovering. 

“My mother grew up in Switzerland and she used to tell me stories about how she swam in the lakes, so this was always something I wanted to do. I’m proud to say I am in an exclusive group of people who have completed this.”  

Notes to editors

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About the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

The Royal Free began as a pioneering organisation and continues to play a leading role in the care of patients. Our mission is to provide world class expertise and local care. In the 21st century, the Royal Free London continues to lead improvements in healthcare.

The Royal Free London attracts patients from across the country and beyond to its specialist services in liver and kidney transplantation, haemophilia, renal care, HIV, infectious diseases, plastic surgery, immunology, Parkinson's disease, vascular surgery, cardiology, amyloidosis and scleroderma and we are a member of the academic health science partnership UCLPartners.

In July 2014 Barnet Hospital and Chase Farm Hospital became part of the Royal Free London. Read 'A bigger trust, a better future'.