Great North Swim, 2 Mile Openwater

Early one morning I listened to BBC Breakfast and its coverage of a heartbreaking health condition that a young girl, Isla Grist was battling with, Epidermolysis bullosa, a rare extremely painful, genetic skin blistering condition. Graeme Souness, who was being interviewed was discussing how he was to take part in a swim of the English Channel to raise money for the charity DEBRA that supports this condition.
Inspired by Graeme’s challenge but also a regret of never persuing a sport I was good at as a child; never finding out how good I could have been, gave me the kick I needed to take up swimming again. They say It’s never too late to find out what you might have been so I started lane swimming leisurely one evening in in 2023. I soon stumbled across Pontefract Marlins Swiming Club after taking my kids to swimming lessons one evening. There was a great vibe over in the other half of the pool where they were training. When noting a masters taster session poster on the way out I literally threw myself in the deep end and signed up to take part. Out of my depth (excuse these puns ) I was reluctant to carry on, but after persuasion form the club I dug deep and carried on. A year later my technique , stamina, health and well being has changed immeasurably. At 46 I have discovered a passion for swimming I never thought I would have again. 
Eager to challenge and test myself further and use the skills gained though swimming with the Marlins I am going to raise money for the charity, DEBRA, the charity that first grabbed my attention. I will be challenging myself  at the Great North Swim to 2 miles of lake Windermere . I hope you can support me raise money for this worthy charity and help ease the suffering caused by this heartbreaking condition .