To all who have already donated, thank you so much, your generosity has been overwhelming.

To those who have still to pledge, please help by donating to this amazing cause.  Any amount, no matter how small, will be very much appreciated.

Kate, Adam and Iris are now going through a very difficult time and are finding the support of Mary from the Rainbow Trust absolutely invaluable.  If you are able to make a donation to support this amazing charity you will be helping Iris, and children like her, when help is most needed.

Iris' grandmother has also been working hard to raise funds.  Type 'Kate Proops' into the name finder and follow the link.

Thanks again,

Susannah

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The original message....

Are there eels in the Thames?  What about fish with teeth?!!

These are just a couple of the things I'm hoping not to find out as I swim the Great London Swim on Saturday 3rd July.  I freely admit that the idea of swimming a mile in open water and not being able to see the bottom (let alone what lurks beneath...!) gives me the heebie-jeebies but that only goes to emphasise what a great cause I am taking the plunge (literally) for.

I am swimming to raise money for the Rainbow Trust in Iris Proop's name.  Iris is an amazing two year old.  Her spark and energy engages you the moment you meet her.  What you might not realise though, is that Iris has been on a journey with cancer since she was six months old.

This cancer journey began when Iris spent almost three weeks in intensive care, received major surgery and undertook nine months of chemotherapy treatment in Great Ormond Street hospital - all to fight a rare and life-threatening Rhabdoid tumour.

Amazingly, after all that first year brought, Iris has just enjoyed a whole year free from cancer and a life without her line.  She has been able to swim, have a proper bath and join in playgroups as she has managed to regain an immune system.  However, after a recent routine scan, her parents found out that the cancer has returned and that there are further battles ahead.

The Rainbow Trust is a little-known but remarkable charity that provides emotional and practical support to families of children facing life-threatening or terminal illness.  Over the last few years, Iris' parents Kate and Adam have received such support from Mary.  She has helped in practical terms such as getting Kate and Iris to and from appointments and weekly hospital stays, playing with Iris to allow Kate and Adam to take breath and also in emotional terms, allowing them to have someone to talk to about such a life-changing situation.  Iris' friends on the ward also receive help from the Rainbow Trust and I am reliably informed by Kate and Adam that the Rainbow Trust's support is invaluable.

Kate and Adam are great friends.  They have been uni mates, flat mates and just great mates.  I cannot help Iris but I can try to help this charity who are doing such an amazing job of helping my friends.  I am hoping to raise as much money as possible.  Please pledge all you can; every donation, no matter how small or large, is very gratefully received.  And if you are unable to donate money, please come along and support me on 3rd July - I might need your support literally - any volunteers to carry me back to Chelmsford (especially if the pesky eels get me)?

And a little info from justgiving.com:

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.