First and foremost this is a personal challenge.  Whilst I swim regularly and swum the 5K swimathon successfully last year, I am very much new to open water swimming.  Due to the Covid-19 outbreak I have not been able to swim in a pool since early February and purely out of frustration of not being able to get in my daily swim, I took the plunge and started swimming in the sea.    Open water swimming is very different to the pool.  No two days are the same and due to tide times, I cannot always swim everyday.  However,  I really enjoy it and although I would of loved to complete the 5K again in the sea (maybe next year), I don't think I have enough experience yet to take on the challenge. Therefore I will be doing the 2.5K this year and hope that my friends and family will support me. Not only with encouragement but also help me raise funds for Cancer Research and Marie Curie.  Two charities which as you will know are close to my heart.

Cancer is a word we all dread to hear, I have heard it too many times.  My father passed away from stomach cancer 20 years ago, diagnosed too late to be able to have treatment, my brave, strong daddy faced his short illness with such strength and dignity and passed at the young age of 59.  My amazing mother, wow, what can I say, my mum battled throat cancer, I thought I was going to lose her but she is one tough woman.  She promised me she would beat it and four years down the line is here and cancer free. Her treatment was not easy for her, nor me, as at the time of her diagnosis, my husband had just been told that his cancer had returned for the second time and had to have further surgery and ongoing treatment for tumours in his small bowel.  All at once my world crumbled.   The two closest people to me who I would normally turn to for support, both needed mine at the same time.  Looking back, I do not know how I got through that time, autopilot mainly and support from an overstretched Mcmillan nurse, my rock that is my Auntie Jan and my mothers best friend Chris.  Both of which took over the care of my mum, whilst I spent a week by my husband's bedside whilst he was in intensive care. Just as I am in awe of my amazing mum, my husband's continual fight against GIST (Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors) is incredible. Diagnosed with Gist ten years ago aged 45, after a life-saving emergency operation after his tumour ruptured. Without the amazing work of Cancer Research UK, my husband would not be on chemotherapy medication that keeps his condition manageable, allowing him and us to continue a normal life today.  Words cannot describe my husband's courage.  At times it has been very hard and I know it is a constant weight on his shoulders, but he rises above it and continues to enjoy life and be by my side. 

I would also like to mention my wonderful father in law continuing his treatment to manage his prostate cancer and my beautiful dear friend Denise, who lost her life to breast cancer at aged 40, the sweetest, kindest, happiest lady you could ever meet, I am so grateful that she was part of my life and she won't ever be forgotten.

My point to all this is that with more funding Cancer Research UK and Marie Curie can continue to progress with new and improved treatments and much needed support to patients and their families - it would be amazing that one day we could hear the word cancer and not feel dread, but feel hopeful.

Thank you for reading my story, lots of love Kayla xxx


Cancer Research UK and Marie Curie are calling on the nation to get down to the pool for Swimathon 2020 - thousands of swimmers, two great causes, one big charity challenge.

Cancer Research UK, the worlds leading cancer charity is dedicated to saving lives through research. They don't receive any government funding for their work, so their progress is all thanks to the support of people like you.

Marie Curie provides expert care, guidance and support for people living with any terminal illness, and their families. Around 2,100 Marie Curie Nurses work day and night, in peoples homes all over the UK, providing hands-on care to people when they need it most.