IT WAS ALWAYS said to be one of the most dangerous swims in the whole USA.

But now a Poole mum has 'escaped from Alcatraz' and swam the treacherous two miles from the legendary prison to the mainland at San Francisco.

Dr Laura Tarry, 39, a hospital consultant at Poole, completed her epic swim off the coast of California to say thank you to her own hospital's epilepsy service for caring for her son.

Jude, aged five, was diagnosed with epilepsy just before his first birthday.

Laura's swim raised £1,100 for the department. The funds will go to Poole Hospital Charity to purchase innovative equipment, improve facilities and provide finishing touches to complement the existing high quality care.

Laura said: "Jude has complex epilepsy and is resistant to conventional drug treatment. In 2018 his seizures proved almost impossible to control and he became completely debilitated by the disease."

However, she said: “As a family we are incredibly grateful for the professional care, assessment and treatment given by the amazing children’s epilepsy team.

“Dr Hussain has always made himself available for Jude and been able to support us with decisions and queries we have needed to make.

“When Katrina Bottle (Roald Dahl children and young people’s epilepsy nurse specialist) joined the team it was a breath of fresh air. During one of the most challenging, uncertain and traumatic times for our family, Kat provided Jude and ourselves with practical support and holistic care for our entire family."

A total of £3,400 has been raised by Laura and Poole Hospital isn’t the only place that’s benefitting.

Money will also go to Great Ormond Street Hospital for research into novel drug therapies for complex genetic epilepsy and part of the donation will also be gifted to Jude’s infant school to help support other children with special educational needs.