A little over a year ago, we embarked on the most difficult journey of our lives. Our newborn Zadie was prodded and pricked and rigged up to machines, until two months later we got a diagnosis: Joubert Syndrome.

We were lucky we could quickly start Zadie on weekly physiotherapy, occupational therapy, sensory lessons, vision impairment group and... swimming classes.

A year later, the baby we were told might never walk and never talk has just started crawling and babbling.

Swimming was something we'd done with her older brother Xavier. It's Ed and my most shared passion. At four months old, to see Zadie in the water, you wouldn't have realised she had hypotonia - it takes her weight and allows her to move more easily. Now she's a real water baby, happy underwater, kicking her legs, splashing her hands.

Ed has done many swim events, but never more than a mile, so swimming the length of Coniston (5.5 miles) after a couple of sleepless months, and more recently weeks unable to train (after removing the end of his finger with a cleaver) makes this one daunting. That's on 24th June.

I have never done an event in any sport, it's just not my thing. But Ed persuaded me to swim an open water mile in the Thames near Henley at an event on 9th July. I'll have to wear a wetsuit, something I've never tried, and I won't have my familiar pool lines to guide me. And it will be cold. And crowded. I wonder why I said yes...

Actually, I don't wonder - it's in the hope that we can raise money to help other disabled children learn through swimming.

The people at Level Water understand the power of swimming for children with disabilities. The water takes your weight. It's a great leveller. It relieves pain and offers freedom and independence that many of our children never experience elsewhere.

I know times are hard and this is a niche cause. But please think of Zadie's progress; my sporting ineptitude; and of the difference we could make to so many disabled children. We are grateful for anything you can give.

Love,

Belle and Ed