In 2022, my mum, Sandra, was diagnosed with bowl cancer. Since then, she’s undergone life changing surgery and is now living with a permanent stoma. She’s undergone other surgeries since to ensure the cancer has been fully removed and there’s been some challenges for her along the way adjusting to this “new normal”.

Some of you may know, I’ve taken up regular(ish!) swimming in recent months and have been really enjoying myself! But now I’m going to introduce a bit of challenge... Both my auntie, Marj, and Dad, Brian, have taken on personal challenges to raise money for Bowel Cancer UK and I’m immensely proud of them. If I can raise even a fraction of what they did, I’ll be happy to contribute to a worthy cause.

I’m taking part in Swim15 for Bowel Cancer UK and raising money to help save lives and improve the quality of life of everyone affected by bowel cancer. The money I raise will help to provide support and information to patients and their families, fund and support research into bowel cancer and support campaigns for early diagnosis and best treatment and care for all. I’m going to be swimming throughout June, aiming for a total of 15km throughout the month (FYI- it takes me about 45mins, give or take, to swim 1km! Hopefully that gives some context for this challenge…). Please support me and donate today.