This summer I will be attempting what I always thought would be impossible as a blind person - to swim the English Chamnel! I am hoping that by attempting this somewhat terrifying swim I will motivate and inspire everyone, sighted or not, to try something new…and raise awareness of British Blind Sport, the strength of teamwork, positivity and blind determination!

I was born with very limited sight and from an early age found participation in social activities and sport difficult and challenging. This was until BBS introduced me to a number of sports and showed me that they could be adapted to enable visually impaired people to take part. In my time I have tried athletics, judo, track and road cycling, rowing and triathlon. But it is swimming that I have always loved. Through the support of BBS I was able to train and compete internationally, culminating in winning 2 x Gold, 2 x silver and a bronze at Paralympic level. I now spend a lot of my time promoting and raising money for BBS, a charity that literally changed my life. I want to give others a chance to get out and enjoy sport of any kind and all the joys that come with it!

BBS is the UK's only national sports and physical activity charity exclusively for people with sight loss.

There are more than 350,000 children and adults who are blind or partially sighted and they need our help now more than ever before. People with sight loss are twice as likely to be inactive as people without sight loss and 2/3rds say there are physical activities that they want to do but aren't able to. We need to change this.

BBS uses the power of sport to help people with sight loss lead more active and independent lives.