As you may know, I love swimming.

On July 19th I am hoping to put this passion to good use by swimming across the Camel Estuary - from Padstow to Rock – a distance of just over one mile. I will be raising money for two charities: Macmillan Cancer Support (who are organising the swim) and Connect, the communication disability network. Macmillan provides practical, medical, emotional and financial support for people with cancer and their families. A number of friends have had cancer and I know only too well how invaluable such support can be.

Connect supports people with aphasia – a communication disability that can often result from stroke. Around 250,000 people live with aphasia in the UK, yet it is invisible and poorly understood. Aphasia has a massive impact on peoples’ lives, affecting relationships, work and well-being. Connect does pioneering work with people who have aphasia and their families: promoting opportunities, developing confidence, creating networks, reducing isolation, and training and supporting service providers. Connect’s Access to Life project has also had a big impact for people with aphasia in Cornwall, so swimming across a Cornish estuary is a most appropriate way of raising money.

Having worked for Connect for many years, I know that whatever you are able to donate will be very well spent.

Here’s how:

£100 will enable a person with aphasia to attend four counselling sessions
£500 provides a much-needed information day for a group of people with aphasia
£1000 will pay for ten music group sessions for people with aphasia

Please sponsor me and support these two great charities.

55% of what I raise will go to Macmillan, and 45% to Connect.

Thank you!

Now, where did I put my goggles…