Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

The London Classics is a unique three-event challenge which is completed when someone has finished the TCS London Marathon, RideLondon-Essex 100, and the two-mile distance at Swim Serpentine.

Having been so ill, I now try to regularly challenge myself and support my wellbeing. I ran the London Marathon in October 2022, six months after I finished the active treatment for breast cancer. I completed RideLondon-Essex 100 in May 2023, three months after undergoing life changing surgery. I will be swimming the Serpentine (London’s famous open water swim in Hyde Park), to raise vital funds for Samuel’s Charity, and complete (hopefully) The London Classics challenge - having taken on all three events in 12 months. If I make it, I will be picking up two medals, one for the swim and one for completing all three events.

So far, the training has been a little bit bumpy. I’m still on maintenance treatment for breast cancer which involves regular hospital appointments, and also taking chemotherapy tablets twice a day along with other medication. On a good day, I take between 5 – 6 tablets but, sadly, the medication which is keeping me alive is also giving me brutal side effects. Pain is something I have to put up with on a daily basis. Whether it is drug induced or caused by the multiple surgeries undertaken, it is always there to some extent. This summer I’ve taken up wild swimming for its mental and physical health benefits, and also to ease myself into the training for the Serpentine. I can swim, but I am NOT a swimmer. As a child learning to swim was not part of the national curriculum and I have never taken swimming lessons. In fact, I taught myself how to swim which means I never learned to swim properly. I don’t swim gracefully, nor glide through the pool effortlessly and that’s OK. I am VERY slow and can only swim breaststroke confidently. That’s OK too, but not enough in long distance swimming. Two miles is a long way to be miserable, therefore, I began adult classes in a quest to learn new swimming styles and give myself a better chance of completing the distance. I’m, however, limited in how much I can improve as the mastectomy and the axillary clearance undertaken two years ago left me with permanent nerve damage and limited range of motion in my right arm. BUT the chance to clinch the iconic London Classics medal and enter the London Classics Hall of Fame the day before I turn 47 years old has won me over.

Samuel started his charity to help really sick kids and their families get through what is most likely the worst time in their lives, to make their time more bearable and to bring some relief, fun and hope to their day.

Your donation impact can be seen below:

£17 Supports one child in a ward for a year

£34 Supports two children in a ward for a year

£85 Supports five children in a ward for a year

Please donate to ensure that Samuel’s charity can continue helping these poor souls.

Thank you so much.

Love,

Ramona