In September I’ll mark a significant birthday (it rhymes with ‘nifty’) and to celebrate I’m planning to complete a 1500m open water swim challenge on Loch Lomond in Scotland with friends on 30th August.

In lieu of gifts I’m raising funds for two worthy causes - the Macmillan Unit at Antrim Area Hospital and Diabetes UK. Macmillan is the official sponsor of the swim event but I’ve decided to ensure half the money raised goes directly to the Macmillan Unit which provided stellar palliative care for my Dad back in 2017. And my Mum was a Type 1 diabetic who derived great value from the expert information and advice in the ‘Balance’ magazines produced by Diabetes UK. This feels like a good way to remember them both.

I’m a keen sea swimmer - the slow and steady type, so no records will be broken, but 1500m still represents a challenge. Swimming in a loch will feel a little different to the sea and I’m looking forward to a new experience. And yes, I’m a ‘skins-only’ swimmer (no wetsuit) so it will be in my interest to ‘keep motoring’ as my Dad used to say.

It would mean the world to me if you could spare a few quid to support the work of these organisations, and it will spur me on with my swim training.

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