Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

On August 31st this year, I am taking on my biggest single swim to date. I am swimming Lake Windermere 1 way which is approximately 17km (nearly 11 miles).

I had signed up for this swim last year but then in May this year, my mum suffered a massive stroke. This has significantly affected my training - my heart and head have been very much with her and the rest of my family. We have a long journey ahead with mum with some massive challenges to overcome. She remains in hospital and will be in there for some time yet. It would be really easy to pull out of this swim.

However, I was raised to believe that I can do tough things. And the thought of completing this swim and showing mum my medal has become my new motivation. She has been through utter hell since May and so if she can do that, then I can swim 17km in a day!

Originally I wasn't going to fund-raise. However, there is a good cause that has had a massively positive impact on my life since mum's stroke - and that is Arundel Lido. This has been my happy place this year. Over the last term, I have been teaching swimming to local school children at the lido. This is only possible due to the amazing work that Arundel Lido do in the surrounding community. Any money I raise through this challenge, will go directly to enabling local school children to have swimming lessons to ensure they can be safe in and around water. I have loved working with the Arundel Lido team this year. However stressful life has been, the lido team have always supported me, made me laugh and made me feel so included. I will forever be grateful to have been a part of the team this year. It is also a great location for a training swim too!

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Thank you so much for any sponsorship you feel able to donate. Seeing the total go up, will help me stay focused as I enter the last 8 weeks of training.

Helen xxx