Written 30 May 2024.

In loving memory. Get shit done.

"I'm not doing it Paula, I'm a rubbish swimmer, I'm not doing it.

Oh, alright then, I'll do it."

Bear with me. This will be a long post. It's about a two mile swim around a big duck pond, friendship, challenges and, hopefully, getting shit done.

Back in 2022 after completing RideLondon and having previously completed London Marathon (three times - garden/virtual/real – that’s another story!) I was eligible, should I also complete Swim Serpentine, to obtain the London Classics medal. I, however, was not remotely interested in Swim Serpentine as I'm neither a keen nor strong swimmer and a two mile swim surrounded by duck poo didn't really appeal. The extent of my adult swimming career at that point was a few yards to a swim up bar to order an ice cold strawberry daiquiri.

However, my darling friend Paula who was a keen open water swimmer, enthusiastically told me how great it was that I could now train for Swim Serpentine and get the big blingy Classics medal.

My response: "I'm not doing it Paula, I'm a rubbish swimmer, I'm not doing it."

Paula told me I had to, that she was kindly "gifting" me the challenge and that I had to do it for her.

At that time Paula had just been diagnosed with lung cancer.

I did as I was told and signed up for Swim Serpentine 2022 (obviously!).

I won't lie, I also said words to the effect of "For [insert chosen expletive!] sake, Paula - I can't really turn you down, can I?". I seem to recall that Paula just laughed, safe in the knowledge that I loved a challenge really.

Move on a few months and I'd spent more money than I needed to on a wetsuit, got in the pool several times a week, got in a grubby lake, got in another slightly cleaner grubby lake and duly trained for the swim. As event day approached, I knew I wasn't going to be breaking any world records but I was pretty confident that I just might not sink.

Sadly the event was cancelled in 2022 due to the Queen's funeral preparations and my place was deferred to 2023.

2023 then gave me a back injury and months of physio, strength training etc etc… but sadly no swimming.

Last week, Paula passed away.

During the past two years Havens Hospices have been truly remarkable in the care and support they have given to Paula (and those around her). Paula said it best in her keynote speech at Havens ball last year: https://youtu.be/G-1idFyWdus?si=oC0MAXLyiavgPbF0

I'm signed up for Swim Serpentine 2024 to fundraise for Havens in Paula's memory. If you've read this far you'll realise I want your support and hopefully your cash if you can spare some. Please sponsor me if you can.

I'm about to start training again and have just under four months to do so – your donations will encourage me massively. Also, if someone could have the strawberry daiquiris at the ready, I'd really appreciate it.

Much love.

Yvonne x