It started at our brother Gerard's 70th birthday celebration. His wife, Verna, in her tribute, reminded us of the contribution he had made to some of the effective cancer drug treatments available today . Our Dad died of cancer only a year after reaching his 70 th. Another person in the room that day has cancer. We all know- or knew someone with cancer. So , what to do ?

Christine, the youngest of us at a mere 65, had the energy and drive to come up with an idea - and to rope me and her other creakier , older sisters to take part in a Swimathon. Which means , at various dates between April 28 th and May 21 st , all 5 Costello sisters :Mary, Margaret, Anne, Christine & myself will be ploughing their way up and down their local pools in Yorkshire, France and Ireland . We will be squinting up at the clock to time our efforts and desperately trying not to lose track of what lap we 're on, till we reach the magic total of 5 kilometres.

Hopefully the effect will " ripple" out from there and we can add a " drop " into the ocean of funds needed. So, if you'd like to contribute, that will really Seal the Deal - and make the puns stop !

Thank you .