We are taking on another swim challenge in honour and in memory of our best friend and all round incredible human, Josie, to raise vital funds for Grassroots Suicide Prevention.

On 20th June 2026 we are taking on Coniston Water in the Lake District for an end-to-end swim. This is our longest swim to date at 5.25 miles / 8.4KM; a distance that will challenge us both physically and mentally.

We've been fundraising for Grassroots Suicide Prevention for a few years now, after losing our incredible friend Josie in September 2020. Losing Josie shattered the ground we stood on. We feel so strongly that conversations around suicide and mental health need to be open, welcomed and normalised. That resources, like those provided by Grassroots, are accessible to everyone who needs them when they need them.

1 in 5 people experience suicidal thoughts at some point in their lives. It is the leading cause of death in adults under the age of 35. Up to 135 individuals affected to some degree for every person lost.

These are statistics we desperately need to see change, and funding charities like Grassroots really does help. They have a fantastic range of resources on their website, as well as the Stay Alive app, and the First Hand website for anyone needing support or guidance.

Anyone who knew Josie would know she would be with us in the water in a heartbeat (as well as laughing a lot at our efforts.) This world will never ever be the same again without her, and navigating life and grief after suicide loss, even after nearly 6 years, still feels impossibly difficult. Swimming has given us a space, a reprieve, a chance to heal a little side by side, one arm in front of the other, one post-swim cuppa at a time - and so we keep swimming, keep bringing attention to the cause, hoping that others out there don't ever feel like they have nobody to turn to, and those bereaved by suicide have access to the support they so desperately need.

Check in with your loved ones, check in with yourself, tell people you love them, and be kind.

Any support - donations, sharing, comments - are all hugely welcomed. Thank you ❤️