Last Sunday, 20 September, I completed the Scilly swim challenge - going around the Scilly isles via five swims totalling 15km and around 13km of walking.

I signed up for the challenge on the spur of the moment last November and so started an amazing adventure. My first 'training' was done in my only swimsuit at the time - a diamante halter-neck number - and with no goggles or swim cap, but it was the first step on an amazing adventure.

I bought my first wetsuit and tow float and fins - I got swimming lessons in an outdoor lake to learn how to front crawl - and developed a regular swimming habit that I hope will stay with me for some time.

I hesitated all that time to make a fundraising page - initially because admin's not my thing - but as the date approached I was so fearful that I would not be able to complete the challenge - that I would show up and that they would pull me out of the water and send me home, livid that I had stolen the opportunity from someone and endangered the lives of other swimmers ... that didn't happen :-).

The day itself was a rollercoaster, from a 5:45 meet time and two meter swells 3km from land in wind and drizzle - who knew you can get sea sick while swimming?! - to crystal clear water, white sand, and glorious sunshine.

When it came to choosing the charity I have landed somewhere I didn't necessarily expect. Level water is the charity associated with the swim - both are small enterprises, designed to foster adventure, challenge and inclusion through swimming. This was evidenced so clearly by the diversity of the participants - from Iron women (and men) to newbies like me - skin swimmers and wetsuits - from people in their 20s to their 60s and perhaps beyond. But possibly most clearly by the lady in my pod who used a mobility scooter and walked with a cane on land but glided through the water powered almost exclusively by her upper body in a way that made the 15km look effortless.

Affording that kind of joy and opportunity to a child with disabilities who might otherwise be told that swimming isn't possible for them is the sort of thing that I believe transforms society from the roots, and I am proud to have the opportunity to do a small thing to help support such a unique and wonderful enterprise.

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LEVEL WATER

Swimming for children with disabilities is the biggest unmet need in sport. The water takes your weight; it’s a true leveller. It relieves pain and offers freedom and independence that many of our children never experience elsewhere.

Our swimmers learn strength, mobility and coordination which help with physicality out of the water too. They develop confidence, resilience and self-esteem, which can change their path in life. They learn to be strong and confident swimmers.

Everyone should have the opportunity to learn to swim and fall in love with the water. So we work in partnership with pools and swim schools around the country. We train teachers and help with funding to offer high-quality one-to-one lessons to children with disabilities.