Swimming for Shani

Great mates Simon, Jonny, Dan and Eddie have never swum as far as this in the open water so this a big challenge for them! It's a 2 mile or 5 km swim in the beautiful environment of Lake Windermere. Why are we doing it? The physical challenge is certainly a reason but the main driver is to raise money in memory of Simon's wonderful daughter Shani who died in 2017 whilst she was still just 5.

Shani's Story

Shani was born with a complex congenital heart defect - a large hole in her heart and no valve linking her heart to her lungs. Amazing surgeons at Great Ormond Street Hospital implanted a tiny Gore-Tex tube into her heart where the valve should have been. Then, at 20 months Shani suffered from heart failure and we were told she would not recover. Yet, remarkably, over the next four years, Shani grew into a lively little girl, with a "magic heart". She went to school, made friends and was a happy, inspiring and joyful child. However, at aged five, her oxygen levels depleted further, and the doctors decided to operate - tragically, Shani did not survive the complex operation.

Shine For Shani

The Shine For Shani charity helps to make Shani's memory into a blessing and to raise money to help Great Ormond Street Hospital and other centers of excellence in pediatric cardiology and research help other heart children live full and happy lives. The money we are raising will go towards £70,000 to buy a a new SmartAblate machine for GOSH to help them treat a range of childhood heart conditions by destroying the cells that are causing the heart to beat irregularly, which will make a massive difference to the life chances of some very unwell children.