My name is Jenna and I am 35 years old. When I was still very young I was diagnosed with Rasmussen's Encephalitis. This means I have suffered with severe seizures throughout my life and have undergone surgical procedures leaving me with serious disabilities, mental health issues and unable to care for myself or enjoy a normal life. Under normal circumstances I would be going out to various clubs and activities during the week and this helps me to meet others with similar conditions, make friends and also to allow my parents some respite. Three of the organisations that have been of such help and support to me are All Stars Theatre Group, The Dove Project and Hands 2 Gether. Now I am unable to get out because of the Coronavirus lockdown. This has also meant that the clubs and organisations have had to shut down. The effect this has had on me is that I and my friends have become completely isolated and have started to become withdrawn and our mental health is beginning to suffer. I live in Plymouth and wish to raise money for the local organisations I have mentioned that have been a lifeline to me and many others. If the lockdown continues I would also like to use some of the money in order to provide activity packs for people in similar circumstances to me to help them during this time.

I am fortunate in that I have a swimming pool in my back garden and I love spending time there particularly on sunny days (see cover photo!). Although my condition causes me to become exhausted quite quickly, I would like to swim twenty lengths of the pool each day until I have completed two hundred lengths or one and a half kilometres in total. I am hoping for good weather for this and, all being well, should be able to complete this task within the next couple of weeks.