I am holding a charity swimming challenge with the aim of swimming 65 lengths - one mile at Steyning Leisure Centre on Friday 15th December at 20.00 hrs, to raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity.

I am taking part in this challenge as I want to "give something back" to Great Ormond Street Hospital where I was operated on, on the 15th December 2016, just one year ago.

In April 2016, at 15, I was diagnosed with an extremely severe case of Scoliosis, which is where the spine twists and curves to the side.  I had an 84 degree curve to my spine, which meant having to undergo major surgery to straighten it. It meant fusing the discs and an insertion of 2 steel 12 inch rods and 14 screws to connect the rods to my spine.

If I didn't go through with this, it would have meant suffering continuous pain and discomfort all through my adult life.

And so, in a year of turning 16 and whilst I was studying for GCSE's, I had my first major operation, followed by a second follow up in December 2016. This surgery took place at Great Ormond Street and without the help of an amazing surgeon, anaesthetist and fantastic team of nurses, I couldn't have got through this time.  They were simply wonderful and so caring. 

The Great Ormond Street Charity is such a fantastic cause and I'm looking forward to raising as much money as possible.  It's been a very tough year, not only physically but mentally too and I would be grateful for all your support and any amount raised.

I am so overwhelmed by those who have sponsored me so far that I have decided to increase my target so that I can carry on raising money right up until my challenge.

Thankyou everyone x

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