Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Update: for lots of logistical reasons Alex is not able to join the COSMIC Rays channel swim this year. However, she is going to swim end to end of lake Coniston on 21/6/25. At 5.25 miles it’s probably a greater individual distance in water just as cold, so she is going to use this event to continue to raise funds for COSMIC. Other than the change of venue, her story and motivation are just the same! If we can get anywhere close to the original target then that would be amazing!

The short version: Alex is taking on the English Channel again

We owe COSMIC and the St Mary’s PICU team more than words can say. That’s why we are incredibly proud of how Alex has made it her mission to give back.

In 2023, less than 2 years after being in ICU, she swam the English Channel as part of a relay team organized by COSMIC, becoming the youngest swimmer ever to take part for them. She raised over £6,000, helping fund vital equipment, support services, and research for critically ill children. It was challenging, scary and apparently fun!

This summer, she’s taking on the Channel once again. Not solo (yet!), but as part of another COSMIC relay team. She’s more experienced now, but still wary of jellyfish, still driven, and still as determined as ever to make a difference.

The longer version:

Campaign for COSMIC (Children of St Mary’s Intensive Care)

At just 9 years old, Alex dove into competitive swimming—and hasn’t looked back since. With medals under her belt and a passion for pushing her limits, she was on track for a promising future in the pool. But in September 2021, everything changed.

After returning to full training with her club, Hounslow Jets, following the pandemic, Alex contracted COVID-19. Within days, she went from being a fit, driven teenager to being admitted to hospital, requiring oxygen. She was transferred to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at St Mary’s Hospital, where the incredible team at COSMIC supported her and her family through a terrifying, life-altering experience.

From doctors and nurses to physiotherapists and beyond, every person who cared for Alex made sure she wasn’t just treated medically—but emotionally too. Every handover included what mattered most to her: swimming. Through it all, Alex remained focused on one goal: getting back to the sport she loved. She was (and still is) determined to take control of how the experience influenced her life.

Amazingly, by December 2021, she was back in full training. Just a month later, she became Middlesex County Champion over 1500m—a staggering achievement only four months after being in intensive care.

Why We’re Fundraising

We owe COSMIC and the St Mary’s PICU team more than words can say. That’s why Alex has made it her mission to give back.

In 2023, less than 2 years after being in ICU, she swam the English Channel as part of a relay team organized by COSMIC, becoming the youngest swimmer ever to take part for them (and she will still be when she goes again this year). She raised over £6,000, helping fund vital equipment, support services, and research for critically ill children.

This summer, she’s taking on the Channel once again. Not solo (yet!), but as part of another COSMIC relay team. She’s more experienced now, but still wary of jellyfish, still driven, and still as determined as ever to make a difference.

Help Us Hit £2,000!

This year, Alex is aiming to raise £2,000 for COSMIC—and every pound helps motivate her through those long, cold swims. If you’ve been inspired by her story, her grit, or just want to support a great cause, please consider donating.

Thank you for reading, supporting, and sharing. Let’s help Alex smash this goal and continue to support the amazing team that helped save her life.

Donate now. Cheer her on. Be part of something special.

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.