Sam, Craig and Matt are fundraising for Rockinghorse Children's Charity

Sam Thomas is raising money for Rockinghorse Children's Charity

Pier to Pier Swim Relay · 3 September 2025

Rockinghorse is a Brighton-based charity which has been supporting children for over 50 years. It was set up in 1967 by Dr Trevor Mann to improve healthcare services for sick children and babies. The charity fundraises for items for every child's treatment, from toys to life-saving equipment.

Story

Thanks for visiting my JustGiving page. Here's why I’m raising money for this incredible charity.

On 2nd May 2015, our beautiful twins were born. Sienna arrived safely, but Lucy faced a traumatic birth due to a prolapsed cord. We stood helplessly as doctors rushed in to save her life.

Lucy was given oxygen and placed on a “cooling mat” to reduce the risk of brain damage. We were told she might not survive and if she did, she could face severe complications. The Trevor Mann Baby Unit, which we’d only heard of before, suddenly became our world.

We spent every moment hoping she would pull through. The care, dedication, and skill of the team were extraordinary. Slowly but surely, Lucy gained strength. By week four, we were finally able to take her home to meet her sister.

After two years of monitoring, Lucy had met every milestone alongside Sienna, a miracle made possible by the incredible work of the Trevor Mann team. We made a promise then to do all we could to support them.

Over the past ten years, we’ve raised over £25,000 through events, runs, 24 hour podcasts, auctions and more, a small way to give back for something we can never truly repay.

Last year I took the tough decision to step down as a trustee but my support for this incredible charity will continue forever.

On 3rd September this year myself along with two great friends Craig Whiteley and Matt Garman will be swimming a relay from Worthing to Brighton pier, approx 12 miles.

As well as raising funds for this amazing charity, I will also be raising awareness for my new "You Alright Mate?" campaign that encourages people to reach out and check in on a friend with one simple question that could save a life.

This campaign is an attempt to help to get men to talk more in the hope that we can reduce the suicide rate in the UK. Each mile of the 12 mile swim will signify a life lost by suicide every day in the UK, that's 84 men every week who tragically die of suicide, brothers, fathers, son's, husbands and friends. This needs to change.

Thank you all for your support.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, secure, and direct to the charity. Thank you for helping me make a difference.

Donation summary

Total
£1,980.57
+ £456.25 Gift Aid
Online
£1,980.57
Offline
£0.00

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