It is less than a month to go until my friend Amelia and I take on the Isles of Scilly Swim Challenge - http://www.scillyswimchallenge.co.uk/about.html to raise money for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity in memory of my sister Annabel Hartnett who died last November.  

The Royal Marsden gave her the most amazing care and support during her brave 10 month battle with cancer and she was very grateful for all that they did for her and her family whilst she was under their care.  

Annabel is the mother of Pip (12), Jonjo (10), Tess (8) and Kit (6) and the wife of Jonty.  Growing up, Annabel and I were incredibly lucky to spend our summer holidays on the Isles of Scilly.  She started to go back after Pip and Jonjo were born and loved reliving our childhood. 

In her final month I told her that I had signed up to do this swim in her memory.  She thought I was completely mad.  I know she is right but luckily for me, my wonderful friend Amelia is mad enough to join me and my husband Alex has been recruited as lead supporter in charge of towels, flapjacks and morale.  

On Saturday 10th September we are going to start our 12 hour challenge swimming 15km between the 6 main islands and walking 10km across them - https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1O3pWhVXUMxkd_JjUWQW3xdrR_AU. 

Annabel’s 44 years of life were always full of adventure.  Her final year was full of challenge.  This swim is about both.  I miss my sister every every day.  During the challenge I will be thinking of the happy summers we had, her bravery last year and the sense of adventure that she has instilled in all her children as her memory lives on.

Amelia and I are grateful for every message of encouragement and any donations will go straight to supporting the amazing work of the Marsden.

Thank you

Felicity and Amelia