Earlier in the year I committed to swim the lengths of Coniston (5.25 miles) and Ullswater (7.25 miles) in aid of Level Water. I always knew there would be a third challenge but was leaving options open to see how the year progressed. However, it wasn’t long after Ullswater that I got a bout of the post race blues and thoughts soon turned to ‘so what’s next’???

There was one obvious lake that sprung to mind and that was Windermere but could I really swim 11 miles in water that could be significantly colder in September? But, after weeks of indecision and annoying my friends in the pool, I took the plunge (no pun intended) and signed up!

This is going to be an immense challenge but it’s also giving me the opportunity to support a phenomenal charity that provides 1-1 swimming lessons across the UK to disabled children who are aged between 4-11. There is more information and testimonials on their website at https://www.levelwater.org/learn-to-swim but this is one that touched me…

“Kids with disabilities are often left out of sport, sidelined, or told ‘we can’t help you’. Amir, uses a wheelchair, and for most of the week, he needs support with nearly everything. But in the water, he’s free. His mum said ‘swimming is the only time he can move on his own and says it feels like flying’.”

That freedom — that sense of possibility — is what you’re helping to create and for just £15 you could help provide a swimming lesson to a child like Amir who just needs a bit extra care and support to learn a life changing skill that many take for granted.

Many thanks for taking the time to visit my page and I’ll promise to ‘just keep swimming’!