Sheffield nurse sets up virtual swear jar to help Chapeltown-based charity

A SHEFFIELD nurse has donated hundreds of pounds from a virtual swear jar to a Chapeltown-based rare disease charity.

Ian Todd, charge nurse at the Northern General Hospital, decided to ‘fine’ any friend who used a swear word during their group chats on WhatsApp, raising £300 during November. The money has been given to the Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA UK); a national charity based in Chapeltown.

Ian, 28, lives in Crookes and chose the charity in support of his sister Lily, who has the rare disease pulmonary hypertension. The serious condition, also known as PH, causes high pressure in the blood vessels supplying the lungs - putting increased pressure on the heart.

Despite her living close by in Rotherham, Ian hasn’t seen 29-year-old Lily for almost a year because of her vulnerability to COVID-19. He said: “My sister is very poorly, and I thought that donating the money to the PHA UK, who have supported our family so much, would be a nice thing to do.”

Ian is pictured with friend Joshua Evers, who was the WhatsApp group member fined the most for swearing in November.

Stocksbridge man Iain Armstrong, chair of the PHA UK, said: “This was a fantastic way of raising money safely, and we applaud such a simple but clever idea. We were very touched to receive this donation and I would like to say a big thank you to Ian and his potty-mouthed friends!”