In 1994, as an adult novice swimmer, and having learnt to swim only a few months prior to the event, I participated in my first Swimathon.

This was the beginning of a personal journey. The next 30 years have been dedicated to marathon swimming and open water adventures, that have taken me to the waters of the English Channel, Gibraltar, the Catalina Channel, Jersey to France, the circumnavigation of the Jersey island, around Manhattan, and many lake swims around the world.

Cancer Research UK and Marie Curie are calling on the nation to get down to the pool for Swimathon 2024 - thousands of swimmers, two great causes, one big charity challenge. This year, I want to be one of those swimmers.

On 26th of April 2024, I will be taking to the pool for another 5 km swim, not only to celebrate 30 years since the swim that started my marathon swimming, but also to raise money for two amazing charities: Cancer Research UK and Marie Curie.

This is a cause that will be dear to many people. I, myself, have lost two dear friends to breast cancer, and have had treatment myself for this disease, fortunately, in its early stage.

In 2021, I teamed up with my friends Liz Rycroft and Margot Anderson to swim the length of Ullswater in memory of our friend Cathie Colwill, who passed away after a 2 year fight with breast cancer. We raised over £2000 for Breast Cancer Now.

I hope you can also help and together we can really make a difference.