25 years ago, at just 3 years old, I underwent lengthy open-heart surgery to repair a significant hole in my heart — an Atrial Septal Defect (ASD). Before my surgery, I was constantly unwell, lacked energy, and struggled to keep up with the other children around me. Having that operation changed everything. It gave me my childhood back. Suddenly, I could run around freely, chase after my friends, and enjoy being an active child without the same limitations. Although I have never been discharged from cardiology care and still have some ongoing difficulties, I feel incredibly fortunate to be as healthy and active as I am today.

Not everyone living with heart conditions is as lucky as I have been. Many children and adults continue to rely on lifesaving treatment, ongoing care, and groundbreaking research through the NHS. Organisations like the British Heart Foundation play such a vital role in making this possible — funding research, supporting families during some of the hardest moments of their lives, and helping give people not only longer lives, but fuller ones too. They help keep tiny hearts beating, give children the chance to grow up, and give parents more precious time with the people they love most.

So, to help support their incredible work — and as a heartfelt thank you for everything organisations like the BHF make possible — Will and I have decided to take on the Pier to Pier Swim (swimming from Boscombe Pier to Bournemouth Pier) in just over a month from now (27th June 2026).

This will definitely be a challenge for us. The water will be positively chilly (unfortunately not tropical!), the swim is 2.4km / 1.4 miles long, and open water conditions can be unpredictable. But every stroke we swim will be for an amazing cause that changes and saves lives every single day.

Any support, donation, or share would mean the world to us and will go a really long way. Thank you so much in advance x