Hello,

My name is Si. I am Dad, a Wigner and a Social Worker who helps local children with their mental health and well-being.

It is estimated that 1 in 10 children have a diagnosable mental health condition, and 50% of people with lifetime mental health issues will first experience symptoms prior to turning 14 years old.

Based on these estimates, over 26,000 children in Lancashire are dealing with some form of mental health issue.

These figures are heart breaking.

The NHS service we are raising money for, also supports local children, who need specialised help to reach their full potential.

This challenge is very personal to myself and my family due our daughter Georgia, who is 3 years old and has speech delay.

Georgia has a beautiful soul and she is a bundle of fun. Always making us laugh and keeps us on our toes. Georgia makes us proud every day and her daily development inspires us.

I want to show our little angel Georgia, that anything is possible. No matter how hard and rocky the road ahead may be, with determination, focus and love you can walk the walk.

I want to raise awareness, money and most of all inspire our local children with mental health and other conditions to believe in themselves.

I am going to do this by swimming the English Channel.

The English Channel is a 21 mile stretch of water that separates England and France. It's going to be freezing, sharks will want to eat me and I can't speak a word of French when I get to the other side.

Wish me luck, asking for a pair of socks for my blue feet in French -
"Puis-je avoir des chaussettes pour le bleu pieds."

But after saying all that, I am willing to go through the treacherous waters to support our local children with mental health, speech and language and other conditions. I believe by challenging yourself, working hard and focusing on a dream, it will help us achieve and overcome any obstacle, that we may face in our life.

Am down man, let's do this!!!

Thank you,
Si