<p>Last year I trained hard for the Great North Swim (a chilly mile across Lake Windermere) but it got cancelled at the last minute. I was swimming then in support of Diabetes UK and for my younger brother Chris, who unthinkably has passed away between then and now. This year's swim will be hard for lots of reasons. If you can spare a few pounds to help a great cause, I'd really appreciate it - and so would thousands of others.</p> <p><span class="highlight">Diabetes UK</span> do a great job as the largest organisation in the country working for people with diabetes, <span class="highlight">funding research, campaigning</span> and <span class="highlight">helping people</span> live with the <span class="highlight">condition</span>. You can find out more about them <a href="http://www.diabetes.org.uk/">here.</a> <span class="highlight"><br /></span></p> <p>As you'll know by now, donating through JustGiving is dead easy, fast and secure. Once you donate, they&rsquo;ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation.<span class="highlight"><br /></span>Thanks so much for supporting me - wish me luck!</p>