Help Kirsty and Nathan to raise funds in memory of Kirsty's Mum!

On 1st September, I am going to attempt my first marathon swim, in memory of my Mother, Christine Williams, who passed away from Lewy Body Dementia on 19th April this year. My Mum absolutely loved the water, and I inherited this from her. When I first went to the pool after she passed away, I learned a valuable life lesson - that tears and swimming goggles are not a good combination! Hopefully I will remember this lesson whilst attempting to swim a marathon.

Nathan (chef-proprietor of the excellent Whistler's restaurant in Chipping Norton), who achieved his first marathon swim last year, has kindly agreed to support me in this attempt. But this year, he will go even further - by agreeing to swim alongside me for as long as it takes me to complete my marathon. I have already apologised in advance if I do the swimming equivalent of limping over the finish line with bleeding feet after 6 hours!

As a keen swimmer, I often swim 80-100 lengths of the pool (2-2.5km), but have never attempted anything like this before! For a marathon swim, I need to swim 10km (400 lengths). I estimate that this will take me over 4 hours. Based on his time from last year, this means that Nathan is likely to have to swim 440-450 lengths to keep me company (maybe more).

We have agreed to split the proceeds of our fundraising between two charities, and we hope very much that you will support us in this.

Chipping Norton Lido
Chipping Norton Lido are supporting our attempt with a venue, and lots of encouragement. This charity is close to both of our hearts, and in addition, I have recently become a trustee of the Lido. The Lido does not receive any public funding, and is at the start of a £250,000 fundraising campaign to secure the future of the pool for generations to come. This money is essential to take energy-saving measures, and undertake other improvements, to ensure that the pool is viable for the future.

The Lewy Body Society
Lewy Body Dementia is a cruel illness, which is often misdiagnosed as Parkinson's disease (and indeed often is present alongside Parkinson's). It is estimated that 10-15% of people who die with dementia actually have Lewy Body disease, and yet very little is known about this form of dementia. With a Lewy Body diagnosis, life expectancy is typically 5-8 years. Consequently, if this is misdiagnosed in its early stages, families are cruelly robbed of time they thought they would be able to spend with their loved one, as they see their illness progress far more rapidly than expected. The Lewy Body Society is aiming to fund research into this illness, and also to raise awareness.

Please give generously to help us to raise money for these wonderful charities.