The beautiful girl in the picture is Maisie Almond. She was a bright, funny, caring 14 year-old who lit up the world with her smile and her kindness. Tragically, Maisie became unwell at the end of September last year and developed acute liver failure and was put to the top of the transplant list. Unfortunately, a donor was found too late and she sadly, passed away.

Her incredibly brave parents, Kathryn and Stuart, who are very close friends of mine, have set up Maisie Moo’s Missions to raise the profile of blood and organ donation and do other great things in Maisie’s name and I want to do my part too.

Starting on the 1st of June and over the course of the following week, I am going to endeavour to swim 21 miles (the same distance of the English Channel) in my local pool which equates to 1352 lengths. I will swim 200 lengths each day and then on Saturday 7th June, at Hyde Leisure Pool, I will swim the final 152 lengths and finish with an artistic swimming routine to one of Maisie’s favourite songs, the Morrissey classic, “There is a light that never goes out.’

Maisie was incredible: she was everything good in the world and everything that we should all aspire to be. I want to be part of keeping her light shining and I hope that my swim will help to do that so if you are able, please donate 🩷

Thank you

Jo x