Growing up, Amy, Lucy, Jack and I were very lucky to have our Nana's pool a 5 minute drive away to jump into after a very hot day at school. It was the thing we looked forward to most when the summer months hit. 

Having all started swimming at a very young age (we didn't have much choice since our mum was and still is a swimming instructor) it was something that brought us all together. 

There were laughs, and tears (on Jack's part) as us 3 girls used to leave him trunkless in the pool on many occasions (soz bro!) And there was the slightly more serious element of swimming that came into play: Amy almost trialled for GB water polo, Lucy aced a length of butterfly, I copied whatever Lucy did, and Jack's priorities lied in moving people's swimming stuff to different lockers. We would never have been able to come together to do a relay. However, we were still a team.

If there wasn't a pool, we hit the ocean (not so much now because I am a wuss) Summer holidays were spent with family down in Cornwall or in Arran with our grandparents. Bodyboarding on Perranporth beach and crab fishing on Brodick beach were the activities of choice. Definitely not as much of a team event, more a fight to see who could catch the biggest wave or crab!

As some of you may know, the 24th of October 2021 marks 10 years since my sister, Lucy B passed away in a sudden car accident.

I wanted to do something in loving memory of her so, I am taking on the slightly daunting task to swim 10k (400 lengths!!) to raise money for the charity, Beat that is dear to our hearts for many reasons. 

In our teens, Lucy and I had ongoing struggles with Eating Disorders and know how hard it is to fully recover. Beat's mission is "to end the pain and suffering caused by eating disorders."

Beat continues to do so much to raise awareness for and help those suffering or recovering from Eating Disorders. Their work is increasingly more important as during the pandemic we have seen the rate of people becoming ill or relapsing severely increase, putting pressure on our health service. With waitlists to get help continuing to grow, Beat's work is critical to so many people and they need help and donations now more than ever!

I realise there are many worthwhile causes around, especially at this time, but I would be grateful for any donations no matter how small.

With love,

Katie