The Serpentine is about to witness a crime against swimming technique.

Sofia and Lia, 17 and mildly optimistic, have signed up to swim half a mile across it for West London Welcome. Neither of us swims particularly well, so expect flailing, expect us dodging ducks, and expect a full existential crisis somewhere around the halfway point.

It's a properly organised, safety-supervised swim, so don't worry, we're not just two teenagers wading in and hoping for the best. Graceful it will not be, though.

Sofia has been volunteering with West London Welcome, who support refugees and asylum seekers in our community, and has seen firsthand how much of a difference they make. Lia wants to study Global Politics at university and is currently writing her Extended Essay on UK policies surrounding migrants. So, this is a cause that means a lot to both of us.

Every penny we raise will go towards supporting this important work, so please sponsor us generously! We're doing this for an incredible cause, and definitely not because we're any good at swimming.