On Saturday 31st August Joss took part in the ‘ChillSwim Windermere End to End’ Swim Event – the entire 11 Miles of it!!!! I’m aiming to complete it in around 6-7 hours.

Joss was raising money for two charities that are extremely close to his heart. The two charities being ‘The Grand Appeal’ and ‘Bath Cancer Unit Support Group’ who have supported my son in his Leukaemia diagnosis and treatment during the last 14 months.

In May 2023 Joss’s then 8 year old son, Jack, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia. The journey began at the A&E department of the Royal United Hospital when Jack was complaining of chest pain and became very lethargic and a mere shadow of his usual self. A chest x-ray revealed that Jack had pneumonia and would require admittance for antibiotics. It came a few minutes later that his blood results were abnormal, at this point we feared the worst. You know it’s not good news when you are asked to accompany the medical staff to the ‘Quiet Room’ where they were told the devastating news that Jack had cancer, our world turned upside down.

They were then taken by ambulance to Bristol Children’s Hospital where Jack spent the first week in intensive care, he had surgery and started chemotherapy and steroid treatment right away.

We spent a fortnight in Bristol, They were allocated a room at a local CLIC house, this meant they could take turns to be by Jack’s side and the other could get a good night’s rest. it meant that they could all be together as a family. This was an unbelievable help at a time when it was needed most. They were supported incredibly well, from medical staff to admin staff, nothing was ever too much trouble.

Jack’s medical team in Bristol are phenomenal, they quite literally saved his life. There are no words to explain my gratitude for these people, Joss hopes the Windermere swim goes a little way in showing just how grateful the family are.

Joss successfully completed the challenge and raised a stunning £7,259 split between Bristol Children’s Hospital The Grand Appeal and Bath Cancer Unit Support Group.