Half of those with CF will not live past the age of 41 – that's a crushing statistic to hear and even more devastating for your best friend, whose daughter is diagnosed with CF at birth following emergency surgery at 4 days old... Introducing beautiful Charlotte Taylor, little sister to Allie (probably the best big sister in the world :-) ) and daughter to Mary and Simon - absolute superstars. 

The Taylor Family's world was turned upside down in an instant after Charlotte's CF diagnosis, with daily meds (more than you can count on your hands every day), daily physiotherapy (at least twice per day), a daily battle with bugs and bacteria, endless struggles to feed and put weight on... the list goes on for Charlotte and over 10,000 people across the UK alone living with this life-limiting genetic condition. 

The CF Trust is campaigning tirelessly to help people with CF gain access to potentially life-changing drugs which are currently not available in the UK - they are in so many other countries. The CF Trust supports the families, fundraises and so much more, so, it felt like time to step up and help with the fundraising efforts! 

I’m swimming the English Channel in a relay team and I’m now also swimming another channel solo - Jersey to France (average 7.5 -10 hour swim). By Swimming for Charlotte I want to help raise awareness of Cystic Fibrosis – the more people we can get behind the campaigns, the greater pressure the government will be under to act; to raise money to support the CF Trust in all that they do; and as a gesture to the amazing Mary, Simon, Allie and of course Charlotte, to show my love and support for them – we'll fight for a longer life for Charlotte together. 

When you're diagnosed with CF you don't have a choice but to face the gruelling battle to try and stay healthy, every single day. Because staying bug-free means staying alive. Swimming these two Channels is nothing in comparison to this – I am more than happy to face the cold, the jellyfish, swimming through the night, the ferries(!)... I am lucky enough to have a choice in how I spend my days and I'll be doing it for Charlotte. 

The swims:
- Swim Solstice, 21st June - 3 hour team event into the night
- Thames Marathon, 4th August - 14km swim from Henley to Marlow, this year I’m swimming without a wetsuit
- The English Channel Relay, between 15th-22nd August - 5 strong all female team
- Jersey to France, between 6th-12th September- just ‘me and the sea’ for 14 miles (straight line), more like 7.5-10 hours of swimming. To even be able to swim this I need to complete a 6 hour qualifying swim in ‘cold’ water.

Jersey to France will be the longest swim I've ever attempted (in fact even just the qualifying swim is!) and is a huge physical and mental challenge. It's for Charlotte so I can do this for her - it's that thought that has got me through some tough training swims and will get me over my nerves of swimming in the deep waters and the dark. But I could really do with your support!

Please join me in supporting Charlotte and the CF Trust. 

Mary, Becks and Gemma are talking on a walk which is the same distance as the Jersey to France swim! (They weren’t up for a dip) On 20th April please show your support for them on this long walk around Windsor. We’re loving all the positive actions coming from supporting Charlotte and CF, what better way to celebrate than a huge 25km walk! Well done ladies.

Whether it's pennies or pounds, it all counts and I know I am hugely grateful for the contributions and support and it means the world to Charlotte and her family. 

Thank you x Amanda x

P.s. You'll also see updates on here about Mary and her family's events and activities to fundraise!