10 years ago my little cousin, Lance Corporal Alex Hawkins, was killed in Afghanistan aged just 22 years old. 

In his memory and as a gesture of support for his family and regiment I will be attempting a 2.5km open water swim on 5 August, and would be delighted if you would sponsor me. 

On 25 July 2007, I had been celebrating the last day of the school year with my own children, at that point aged just 9 and 3. We arrived home and I received a telephone call with the terrible news that Alexander had been killed in action. 

It hit hard, as just a few weeks before, he had been home on leave and I had taken the opportunity for us to visit him. I clearly remember he and I washing up by ourselves in the kitchen and asking him to explain to my 9 year old son that real soldiering is very different to playstation games; that you don't just get up and start the game again, that you may have to carry a severely injured close friend to safety, that you may see real people really, actually, get killed. 

On that day, during that conversation, neither of us, nor our families, imagined that a few short weeks later it would be us, our boy, one of our family to whom this would happen. That WE would be part of the funeral cortege slowly walking down a guard of honour on a hot summer day in July 2007. 

That kitchen conversation resonated and has stuck firmly with me and my - now 19 year old - son ever since.

So on the 10th anniversary of losing Alexander (or 'Zander' as I remember calling him) it seems fitting to remember a fun, kind, dedicated and brave man, and to wrap our arms around his family to support them. 

On 5 August I will attempt to complete a 2.5km open water swim in the sea in Devon. I'm not a military girl, I'm considerably older than my little cousins and my sports are running and hockey. Swimming isn't my forte - I can only do breast stroke, but hopefully do it for a decent distance! 

I can't imagine the pain of losing a child, and as my own son reaches the age that Zander was when he died, it becomes more poignant over the years, not less. Please give generously so that the Royal Anglian Benevolent Charity can continue to support soldiers and their families. 

Thank you!