Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

When I first set out on this crazy journey of swimming every day it was for no reason other than my own enjoyment. It was a focus, the push I needed to get myself back into the lake during what had been a mentally challenging series of covid lockdowns. I did it for me.

Then, just a few months into my challenge, I received news that my Dad had been diagnosed with a rare form of sarcoma. This cancer accounts for less than 1% of all cancer diagnoses, and my Dad’s came in the form of a lump above his left shoulder blade. Once the diagnosis had been fully confirmed he was quickly booked in for a high-risk 10-hour operation to remove the, now grapefruit-sized, lump from his back.

That was Monday, 4th October 2021 - Day 174 of my year-long swim, and the longest day of my life. That day I swam in the River Wear with my Mum and Sister cheering on from the shore while Dad underwent his surgery at the RVI Newcastle. Thanks to the skill and dedication of the incredible team involved, Dad came through his surgery and has been recovering exceptionally well, growing in strength day by day.

As with anything like this, samples of the removed tissue are sent for analysis as part of the tireless quest to produce new and improved treatments for patients like my Dad. And so as I approach the final stretch of my 365-day swim I thought it only right to shift the focus away from myself, and onto this important cause.

So here, on day 300 of 365, I’m launching this Just Giving page with the target of raising £5000 for Cancer Research UK.

I will continue to swim every day until I have completed a full year of daily swims. Every penny raised will go towards vital research to produce newer and better treatments for cancer patients, and hopefully, one day, to provide a cure.

Thank you for supporting me on my journey, it means more to me than I can put into words.

Bobbi x

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.