Hi guys,

I promise not to take up too much of your time here but I would be very grateful if you could read this in full. Then hopefully you can find it in your heart to make a donation to a very worthwhile charity to help me.

This Summer I will be attempting the 3 Lakes Challenge or “Triple Crown” in the Lake District. So that is an end-to-end swim of Coniston, Ullswater and Windermere. The events are staggered so Coniston in June, Ullswater in July and Windermere in September.

I am dedicating all of my swim attempts to the memory of my niece Sophia Barry (24 March 2014 - 5 September 2021).

Sophia was a wonderful little lady who was born with additional needs. My brother Ross and his wife Tina were blessed with Sophia and had the benefit of a similar support organisation in their home in Switzerland during the course of Sophia’s development. That being said – I remain deeply humbled and in awe of the efforts that Ross and Tina both went to so as to ensure that Sophia had as comfortable, supportive and an engaging upbringing as possible given her additional needs.

Sophia’s life was cut tragically short due to an accident. She is forever in our hearts.

My efforts are in honour of Sophia Barry and to all parents out there who have lost a little angel all too soon.

My chosen charity is the Seashell Trust – a wonderful organisation that supports children and young adults with complex learning difficulties, disabilities, and additional communication needs across the UK. Please do click on the link to find out more about the amazing work they do:

https://www.seashelltrust.org.uk/

I have chosen the Seashell Trust for fundraising in the hope that any funds raised will go some way towards supporting any parents and families who may find themselves in a similar situation to that of Ross, Tina, Sophia and her brothers Niclas and Henry. My way of paying it forward so to speak

I would be hugely grateful if you could donate whatever you can to help me raise funds for the Seashell Trust.

I will update everyone on the outcome of each swim in due course.

Roy