At the age of 58, with two false hips, I have decided to set myself a challenge - a swimming challenge!

In 2025 I have signed up to swim three famous lakes in the Lake District – Coniston (5.25 miles), Ullswater (7.5 miles) and Windermere (11 Miles), and I need your help on this epic journey.

My youngest daughter Florence (Flo) was born on 3rd April 2015 and diagnosed with VACTERL association shortly after her birth. VACTERL is an acronym for a range of birth defects affecting multiple organs and body systems. Flo, now 9 years old, was born with a hole in her heart, an imperforate anus, spinal anomalies, dysplasia mal-rotated kidneys, bladder abnormalities, a submucous cleft palate and a hearing deficit.

Flo has undergone hours of Haemo and Peritoneal Dialysis and to date has had 25 surgeries, including a kidney transplant, open heart surgery, numerous bladder and bowel operations resulting in a colostomy bag that she has had since she was 36 hours old, feeding tubes and central line placements and emergency surgery for a looped bowel.

Flo is now in Year 5 at Primary School and has been under the care of the Leeds General Infirmary since birth and we are fortunate that we continue to receive their support with open access to the hospital when required.

The support from nurses has been immense to us as a family, so I understand how important the Roald Dahl Nurses are for seriously ill children, young people, and their families, and I want to fundraise to establish more Roald Dahl Nurses.

The swims take place on 21 June (Coniston), 12 July (Ullswater), and 6 September (Windermere).

I hope to raise £15,000, which could provide over two months of this vital specialist nursing care. Training has already started and any donation received will be greatly appreciated. Please visit my JustGiving page below for more information about the events and to support my fundraising. Thank you!