I’m raising money in memory of my wonderful little boy Dougie.

Dougie had Pelizaeus–Merzbacher disease which made life tricky for him but did not stop him living an exciting adventure filled life.

One of the many things that Dougie and I shared a love for was swimming. When he was being discharged from Sheffield Children’s Hospital at 8 months I smiled and nodded when I was told that trachy vented children must never go swimming, then took him (safely) to the pool whenever I could. I love distance swimming and find it is one of the few places I can clear my head.

Dougie died in April 2018 aged 5 and a half. Every year on his birthday in November I find it especially hard to be without him. This year I am going to be kind to myself and focus on doing something in his memory. As Dougie was 5 and a half, I’m going to swim 5.5km- the furthest distance I have ever swim in one session. I am doing this with the incredible support of Chesterfield Triathalon Club who will pace me and keep me going!

I am raising money for Child Bereavement Uk who helped me so much during really hard times in lockdown.

Child Bereavement UK help children and young people (up to age 25), parents, and families, to rebuild their lives when a child grieves or when a child dies. Child Bereavement UK also provide training to professionals, equipping them to provide the best possible care to bereaved families.