I’m fundraising for the Priscilla Bacon Hospice Charity, which supports people affected by life-limiting illnesses and bereavement across Norfolk.

The Charity funds services that help people live as well as possible, including family support, complementary therapy, art and music therapy, transport, specialist equipment and bereavement support.

On Saturday 5th September I will be attempting, along with a group of fellow swimming friends, to swim the 11mile (18K) length of Lake Windermere. My training has been sporadic, hampered by shoulder injury, but I’m going to give it a bash anyway.

We are all members of East Anglian Swallow Tails Masters Swimming Club. Some of us have already completed Coniston in 2022 and Ullswater in 2024 (5.25 and 7.5 miles respectively), so we will be trying to round off the triple crown.

We are also raising money in memory of Dave Borthwick, a club member who succumbed to pancreatic cancer in October 2025 after a typically stoic and dignified battle. To our amazement he carried on swimming until only a few weeks before his passing. Dave had competed in Regional, National, and European Championship pool competitions, as well as open water. He was also an avid sea swimmer.

Dave, his wife Alison and daughter Hannah, spent many enjoyable times staying in Windermere so it seemed fitting to be raising money there, in the water where Dave also swam.

We also have to pay tribute to the amazing staff at Priscilla Bacon. They were so compassionate and caring to Dave and his family during his end of life stay, as well as allowing Dave’s many visitors to come in as often as possible.

We all understand that times are financially tough, but if you can spare a few quid be assured that it will go to a very important local charity that some of us may be visiting or using in the future. We would be very appreciative.

Many thanks for reading, Yours gratefully, Jon.