A crazy and ridiculously long swim in memory of Natalie Lake.

So, having nearly destroyed myself with hypothermia swimming 5.5 miles in Lake Coniston in 2019, for the MIND charity (and reaching a respectable four figures), I vowed not to take part in anything else that would render me both physically and mentally broken. Well, not unless there was a really good reason to do so.

I genuinely never thought I’d be planning my next swimming marathon so soon afterwards!

Last year in July ‘we’ lost one of the nicest people on the planet to the sudden effects of a deeply cruel and ill-timed stroke - and I say ‘we’ because this didn’t just impact me, but so many friends and acquaintances around me. What made ‘our’ loss so much worse was the twisted-reality that the stroke struck just two weeks following the birth of Isaac – her beautiful son, and a real bosta at that!

It really is a stark reminder to us all that life can be so cruel and unexpected – also a prompt that life is precious, and we shouldn’t take it for granted. Although at times life’s daily clutters can trip us up, we really should live each day like it means something – especially live it for those that can’t.

If there was one word to truly define Natalie, then I’d easily throw down the pin on ‘SELFLESS’.

I’m sure that all the people who knew Natalie would agree that she was one of the kindest people they knew - who always had time to listen to other people’s problems - forming educated opinions when needed.

Natalie was truly altruistic – always giving to others without looking for personal gain. And it is this personification of Natalie that has motivated me to do something in her memory. I think an 11-mile crawl through the chilly waters of Lake Windemere will be my way of honouring the memory of ‘Our Nat’ – and of course, I will once again be doing this ridiculous swim to raise funds for a very worthy charity.

Having spoken to Neil (partner of Natalie and awesome dad to Isaac) about which charity we should support it was without further discussion that it should be the Stroke Association. For those that were not already aware Strokes are something that Natalie had to keep at arm’s length for many years – we just never really believed it would finally be the way that we lost her.

So why support the Stroke Association…

When stroke strikes, part of your brain shuts down. And so does a part of you. Life changes instantly and recovery is tough. But the brain can adapt. The Stroke Association provide specialist support, research and campaigning is only possible with the courage and determination of the stroke community. With more donations and support from you, they can rebuild even more lives.

Please support this great cause if you can. If not for a crazy old fool like me, who still thinks he can take part in activities that he should have stopped taking part in 20 years ago, then for Nat – a beautiful person who is not here to tell me how stupid it is to swim so far!!!!

For you Nat x