The Background to the Challenge

As some of you reading this will know, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in January 2023. As a nurse and an educator all my working life, I have written articles about MS, I have taught people about MS, and I have cared for many, many patients with MS. The reality of having it is very different. My life changed on that diagnosis day. Day-to-day, life goes on and no-one would know from looking at me that anything has altered, and for that I am so grateful. However, my road ahead is filled with uncertainty. This is the same for everyone (with or without chronic, long-term illness), but as someone with MS, I KNOW that uncertainty is there and I KNOW that days just happen when strange things occur and I have to adapt. I know too that inside my body there are problems which are not visible and which can be difficult for me and others to understand. MS is a weird and unpredictable condition for sure!

One way I have decided to approach this MS “thing” that is now part of me, is to stay strong, active, and mentally positive. It’s not always easy, but my lifeline has been swimming. Living by the sea, I am so lucky to be able to have the vast and beautiful ocean to plunge into, reminding me that life and the world are amazing. Every day it offers something new; a different image of the same view, a change from calm waters to crashing waves, a dark ominous sky to unbelievable sunrises, and silky soft cool waters to biting cold. The physical swimming keeps me active and relatively fit, but more than that there is the banter with friends, the challenge of the cold, and the emersion in nature.

Why This Charity

My aim this year is to use this passion to raise money for MS-UK. As someone new to MS, this charity has helped me so much. I can’t remember how I found it, but I joined an 8-week mindfulness course for those living with MS. It was a revelation! Being able to share with others who understand, being able to process thoughts in a different way, and being able to be part of an on-going support network has been game changing. I have met people who say MS changed their life for the better – I am not quite in that mindset yet – but just being around people like this has helped me reframe this twist in my life in a positive way.

My Challenge

Last April I turned 59 and that means 60 looms ahead! Between those birthdays, I have set myself targets based on swimming – “The Big 60 Swim Challenge”. So, here’s what I’m aiming to do in that year and how far I am through as I have reached:

6 medals/awards/achievements

6 different counties

60 different swim venues (hopefully all new to me if possible)

600 swims in the year

6000 yards a week (averaged over the year)

I am just about on target but winter is looming. I hope to do as much as I can in the open water – sea, lakes, rivers – but I also know that I will need to resort to pool swimming to keep up the distance in the cold weather, despite swimming all year round outside. Although boring, this will keep me fit anyway!

Halfway update!

6 medals = 100% of target

9 counties = 150% of target

31 out of 60 different places in the year = 52% towards target

19 out of 60 completely new places = 32% towards target (obviously if I hit this one, I hit the one above!)

257 out of 600 swims = 43% towards target

162,599 yards (about 92 miles) out of 312,000 (177 miles) (to average 6000 a week) = 52% towards target

My Fundraising Target

Going with the theme, I would love to raise £600. This would equate to one group mindfulness course (£500) and two group exercise classes (£50 each) – I know how much people living with MS will benefit from these. Of course, the more the better! Maybe I could aim to add an extra zero on that figure….?!

I am fairly confident that I will complete my challenge, but there are many possible obstacles: the weather, the pollution, time in between work, and of course, my health. Your donation will just spur me on to continue and make sure I get this done!

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this :)

MS-UK was established in 1993, and is a national charity dedicated to empowering people with multiple sclerosis to make the most of today, and live life to the full.

MS-UK put people affected by MS at the heart of the work that they do. They provide high quality, professional services to support people living with multiple sclerosis, and they listen to people affected by MS.