This June, our family is taking on the Great North Swim to raise money for the Bobby Robson Centre at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle — a place that is close to our hearts.

My brother Chris was treated at the Freeman after being diagnosed with a brain tumour, which turned out to be a primary tumour linked to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Thanks to the incredible haematology team there, Chris is still with us today.

They gave him his life back — and gave us back a brother, a dad, an uncle, and a husband.

We’ll never be able to thank them enough, but this is our way of giving something back.

The Bobby Robson Centre is expanding its services, and the new section will help even more people like Chris in the years to come. We want to do our bit to support that amazing work.

Our Team

It’s truly a family effort:

💙 Julie – that’s me! I’m Chris’s sister, and after not swimming for years, I’ve been learning to swim freestyle to take on the mile challenge. It’s terrifying but inspiring in equal measure!

💙 Emily – Chris’s daughter and my niece. She’s swimming the Great North Swim with us as a warm-up for an even bigger challenge the following week — the full length of Lake Coniston. We couldn’t be prouder.

💙 Jack – my son. He’s new to endurance swimming too, but 100% up for the challenge — especially for his uncle.

💙 Maddie – our youngest son Sam’s girlfriend is joining us in the water to show her support for Chris and for this incredible cause — we’re so proud to have her swimming alongside us.

💙 Jonathan – my brother, completing our team and making it a real family affair.

We’ll be swimming every stroke thinking of Chris, the care he’s received, and all those families still waiting for hope and healing.

Why It Matters

The Freeman and the Bobby Robson Centre do extraordinary work every single day — offering world-class care, pioneering treatments, and genuine compassion to people facing some of the toughest battles imaginable.

We’re swimming because we believe in what they do, and because we’ve seen firsthand how they change — and save — lives.

Every donation, no matter how small, will go towards supporting their life-changing work.

If you can, please sponsor us — and help more people like Chris get the care and future they deserve.

From our whole family, thank you so much for your kindness and support. 💙

We’ll be thinking of you — and the Freeman team — with every cold stroke across that lake!