The Freedom Swim has always been a little pipe dream of mine, something very far down on my bucket list due to how crazy of an adventure it seemed to be.
Last year, while reflecting on what would have been my angel child Pippa's 5th birthday, it dawned on me that I can do so much that she would never had and now never will have the opportunity to do. (She passed away in 2016 shortly after birth due to Trisomy 18/Edwards Syndrome).
I wanted to do 'things' in her honour, in making everyone remember her, in making Pippa's story a gift to others.  I wanted her short life to have meaning.
And that is how I got to this point - a few weeks away from doing the Robben Island crossing with my swimming buddy Adri by my side (also one of my besties since I was 4 years old).  We have swam quite a few crazy races in the lead up to the crossing but those deep dark waters are still looming.
It took me a while to find the right charity to support and to keep in mind when I feel I want to bin this crazy idea, when kelp and jellyfish hit me from nowhere, when the swells are larger than expected and The LifeMatters Foundation's ethos and work felt like the right one.  A charity that is all about teaching children to read, to enjoy stories, to be taught the joys of books who won't have the opportunity without them - much like Pippa will never have that opportunity to read.
Please help me raise funds for this amazing charity in memory of our Pippa!