English Channel Relay Swim

On 1st November 2022, my mum, Irene, died unexpectedly after a sudden deterioration of some long-term health conditions. She was 70 years old. Not only was she the most incredible mum, with a sharp wit and more kindness and patience than most of the family deserved, she was my best friend, confidante and most trusted advisor, ally and champion. I miss her more than words can express.

Two things got me through and continue to help me in this most difficult period of my life: the support of my close friends and family and an unexpected source of distraction in the form of Trafford Rowing Club.

I am extremely fortunate to have a wonderful group of friends and family who provided me with thoughtful support, from sending meals and flowers in the early days, attending the funeral and kind messages and phone calls to check in on me for the weeks and months following my mum's death. Not everyone is so lucky or feels able to open up to those around them and sometimes, there are practical matters you just need someone to guide you through. Cruse Bereavement Support offer brilliant resources for emotional and practical support and helplines run by volunteers for anyone dealing with loss. I'd like to make sure they can keep offering this vital service.

Trafford Rowing Club is a community amateur sports club in Sale. I was new to rowing in Summer 2021 and since then, my mum enjoyed / endured hearing about my many outings and largely unsuccessful races(!) and I know it made her happy to see me building a life back up North after 12 years of living in London. After she died, rowing gave me a much-needed distraction and the support of the members, in particular those in the Women's Squad, showed me exactly what Trafford Rowing Club is about. So I'd like to give back to that community by raising some funds to help us keep our fleet in good condition and get some desperately-needed space for us to better connect with each other where we are not at the mercy of the elements - in a basic clubhouse with our own toilets, a seating area and a small training space.

To convince you to part with your cash, I'm doing something that would make my mum shake her head and say "Ohhh, Kim...what are you doing that for?!"...I'm taking part in a 4-person team relay swim across the English Channel between 11th and 19th July 2024. I have paid for the swim myself so 100% of what you donate goes to these great causes. This short poem explains why this feels like a fitting challenge to raise money for these two special causes.

Grief is like the ocean;
It comes on waves ebbing and flowing,
Sometimes the water is calm,
And sometimes it is overwhelming,
All we can do is learn to swim.
(Vikki Harrison)

Let's hope for calm waters on the day!
Thank you for your generosity and support.