On Tuesday 29th November 2022, Trish and Iain’s lives were shattered forever when their eleven-year-old son, Charlie, lost his life in an accident.

Charlie was an adventurous boy who loved being outdoors. Like his father, he had a sharp intellect and a love of tinkering with machinery, and like his mother, he had a creative flair and a kind and gentle heart. He was renowned for his wicked sense of humour!

The loss of their wee boy, such a charismatic and well-loved child, has devasted Trish and Iain’s lives. In the immediate aftermath of this trauma, Brake, the UK road safety charity, were there to support them through the rawness of their grief. Shelley Gill, Regional Manager (Scotland/NE) for Brake, has given them great support throughout their loss.

One of the ways that Iain and Trish have begun to find a way through their pain is through open water swimming. Whether swimming hard to burn off overwhelming feelings, or snorkelling silently through the rich underwater world, or weekly social swims with friends, the water has provided a solace and companion.

This September, Iain will attempt to swim across Loch Eriboll, accompanied as far as possible by Trish, Michelle, Sam, Emma, Selena and Louise. We’ve been swimming weekly together for the past year or so, brought together through a shared love of the water. Friendships have blossomed as our confidence in the waters has grown.

However, this is a new kind of swimming adventure for everyone in the group, and we will have to train hard, both physically and mentally, over the coming weeks. It presents different challenges to each of us: will I get too cold, will I be able to swim fast enough or far enough, will it be too deep, will I get attacked by jellyfish or seals? We’ll all do our best and take it in turns to swim with Iain, who will attempt the full 2,500 metres (1.5 miles) traverse from Port Chamuill to Ard Neackie.

We will be swimming in joyful memory of Charlie, and we will be swimming to raise money for Brake. Every 17 minutes someone is killed or seriously injured on UK roads. Brake give families specialist emotional and practical support to help them cope with the sudden and unexpected trauma of road death and injury.

With your help, Brake can continue to provide support to families during their darkest and most difficult times, and to campaign to prevent road accidents.

Please dig deep to support Brake and to honour Charlie’s memory. Every donation will help Iain, Trish, and their swim support team to gather their courage and stamina for the physical and mental challenge ahead – who knows what’s lurking in the depths of Loch Eriboll!