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I have set myself a challenge and with the help of others who would like to join me to swim the distance from Virgin Active Swimming Pool Nottingham to the Olympic Swimming Pool London. The route by water following canals and rivers covers 164 miles. The challenge will start on Friday 1st June and end when we get there! I'm hoping to get there in time for the start of the Olympic Games on Saturday 28th July.

The reason I'm doing this is to raise money and awareness for Rett Syndrome Research Trust UK. They are the only UK charity exclusively focused on accelerating treatments and cures for Rett Syndrome.

This challenge has come about as a client of mine at Virgin Active Health Club and his wife (now friends of mine) have twin daughters, Olive and Tilda. It appeared at 11 months that they were developing quite differently. Olive started to loose skills, not gain them like her sister. She lost a lot of her first words, one of which was Daddy. This went on for the next 5 months, it was then her parents contacted the hospital. Six weeks later Olive was diagnosed with Rett Syndrome.

When my client looked up Rett Syndrome he read "imagine the symptoms of autism, cerebral palsy, Parkinson's, epilepsy and anxiety disorders...all in one little girl'. A tiny mutation to a single gene has condemned Olive to a life of profound disability and total dependence.

Amazingly there is hope. Scientists are predicting that Rett Syndrome could become the first curable neurological disorder. There is one problem, the funds to support the research are entirely reliant on private donations. The charity 'Rett Syndrome Research Trust' only goal is to accelerate treatment for girls and women with Rett Syndrome.

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So please dig deep and donate now.