I joined the Board of Trustees at ECL six years ago because I could see what a positive impact this charity has. Outcomes for people with learning difficulties are worse by almost every metric when compared to the general population. They face poverty, discrimination, complex health issues and a shorter life expectancy.

At ECL, we enhance the lives of people with autism and/or learning difficulties in a wide variety of ways and it is important and rewarding work. However, times are hard and, like many other small charities, ECL is feeling the pinch. I want to do something to help raise desperately needed funds - hence my decision to dive head first into my first ever Aqua Marathon!

I’ve been swimming regularly as rehabilitation after surgery on my shoulder and it occurred to me that I could kill two birds with one stone: strengthen my shoulder and carry out a sponsored swimming event. However, in order to really challenge myself, I’ve decided to swim the equivalent of a marathon which is just over 40 kilometres or 2000 lengths of my local swimming pool. (I know wild swimming is all the rage these days but my strong preference is for warmth and chlorine.) It’s a long way and so I have given myself two calendar months (March and April) to complete this challenge.

This year we are running the 'I Can' campaign - aimed at encouraging people, (trustees included!) to believe that they can achieve anything they want in life. For my own 'I Can'' moment it would mean so much to me and everyone at ECL if you could sponsor me. Every little makes a difference so please help ECL to continue enhancing the lives of people with learning difficulties.

Thank you so much, Lisa x