I'm doing the Great North Swim - 5 km in Lake Windermere on June 7th - in memory of Oscar Montgomery. "Monty" was my middle son Ben's friend and fellow rugby player at Sils in Solihull. We lost Monty tragically in a free diving accident off the coast of Dorset four years ago.

Monty was a big presence, on the rugby pitch and off… he loved the sea with a deep passion, and was destined to live in, on and under the sea, in any way that he could. His passion for the sea extended to the entirety of the natural world, and his wish to care for the natural world meant he was a fervent environmentalist.

His family set up the Oscar Montgomery Environmental Foundation (OMEF) to achieve change in the areas he cared so much about, creating a lasting legacy in his memory, and achieving some of those things he would have continued to devote himself to.

OMEF are dedicated to protecting and conserving our planet’s precious ecosystems, with a special focus on the majestic wonders of marine life.

By working in partnership to connect donors, volunteers and partners with smaller, lesser-known projects and communities, they strive to create a brighter future for our oceans and the diverse species that call them home.

I know times are hard for many at the moment but please support by donating if you can to help OMEF in their mission to preserve nature’s delicate balance and cultivate a world where harmony between humans and the environment thrives.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.