I'm aiming to raise £1500 to help support Into The Blue - the amazing holistic cancer support program that enriches and transforms the lives of people with cancer by connecting them to the power of the sea.

Myself, and a group of other cancer sufferers, will be swimming around Burgh Island on the 25th September, subject to weather conditions and visibility.

The swim will take approximately 1hr 15mins to 1hr 30mins to complete depending on wind, waves, weather and currents. And whether I had lasagne the night before.

My Cancer Story

Monday 15th November 2023 was not a great day. My GP called me to confirm my PSA results - a simple blood test that is used to check for prostate cancer. 278, when normal for my age is around 5. And so began my cancer journey.

After scans, biopsy and further scans I was given a full diagnosis and my amazing NHS medical team at Derriford Hospital discussed options with me and agreed a treatment plan which will likely be life-long.

The next 6mths were tough and in June, having completed a month of radiotherapy, I hit a bit of a low.

That's when I reached out to the Mustard Tree and they hooked me up with oncology Counsellor, Ellie Ricketts, who scooped me up, dusted me off and set me right. She also then plugged me in to Into The Blue, a cold water therapy programme for cancer sufferers that she founded and runs.

And today, both mentally and physically, I'm absolutely buzzing having learnt to live with my cancer and thrive. The Into The Blue program has played a massive part in this, helping me to adapt and to relearn what I can still do - which turns out to be a whole lot more than I feared. It has also brought me in to contact with some really special people who, connected by the shared misfortune of cancer, understand and support each other. The results have been transformational - and universal. Every one who goes through this program arrives at a far better place by the end of it.

With more money, Into the Blue will be able to run more courses in different areas and help more people living with a cancer diagnosis. Thank you so much for your support.

If you are interested in finding out more about Into The Blue I recommend the following podcast : I see you cancer and I raise you the ocean

And Finally....

I just want to give an enormous thank you to every one who works for the NHS, and in particular, my direct medical team at Derriford Hospital - Oncology, Urology and Radiotherapy. You quite literally saved my life.

And to Into the Blue who helped me learn how to bounce back and live again.

You guys totally rock!