The event

Swimathon 2020 takes place at over 600 venues across the country between 27^th to 29^th March. Each individual can take part in a Swimathon ranging from 400m to 5,000 metres. I have chosen to participate in the 5,000m distance at High Wycombe Leisure Centre. Having only started working on my swimming technique recently, this will be a significant challenge for myself having never swam further than 2,000m in one go.

Whilst the event raises money principally for Cancer Research UK, I have decided to raise money for Lymphoma Action.

The motivation

A good friend of ours Debbie Ash was recently diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and has found the charity Lymphoma Action, incredibly helpful at this difficult time.

Lymphoma Action is the only charity in the UK to support people with this type of cancer despite it being the fifth most common type. She’s used a number of the resources they offer already such at the online chat, buddy system, helpful guides and even spoken to someone about how best to communicate her diagnosis and treatment to her four-year-old son. Charities like this rely heavily on volunteers and highly trained staff to support people and their families when dealing with this disease.  

Debbie is a very good friend of myself and my family and I have been keen to do something proactive to raise money for a cause close to her heart.