I’m taking on something pretty huge this summer – the Challenge 13 Lake Swim. I’ll be swimming across all 13 publicly accessible lakes in the Lake District, covering a total of 71km in open water.

As far as I know, I’ll be the first person with Cystic Fibrosis to ever complete this challenge.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic condition which causes sticky mucus to build up in the lungs and digestive system. It affects more than 11,000 people in the UK. One in 25 of us carries the faulty gene that causes it, usually without knowing.

Cystic fibrosis comes with challenges, affecting our physical health, mental wellbeing and how we choose to live our lives. But our community is uniting towards the ultimate goal of effective treatment for all.

Growing up, daily physio was a massive part of my routine, using a device called a PEP mask, which helps clear the lungs by creating resistance when breathing out. Swimming does the exact same thing. It’s been a huge part of keeping me fit and healthy—and now, I’m about to push that to the extreme.

Cystic Fibrosis Trust is the charity uniting people to stop cystic fibrosis. They fund life-changing research and supports people with CF and their families.