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Maria & Amy’s Grand Challenge

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Help us reach our goal of £2000

Please help us reach our goal

Raised

£1,860 + £325 GiftAid

Our Goal

£2,000

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8 miles down - 16 to go!

All going well - everyone is two swims down only four more to go!

Swim the Night Team Members

Thank you everyone supporting us - Lizzie, Margy, Sketch and I have completed our first rotation. Mile 5 incoming!

Swim the Night - first mile done

1600m in - just under 40 mins in the water. They will get slower from here!!

Mile One - Swim the Night

https://strava.app.link/Eso7uChDC2b

New shoes

We went shopping… 

Last year shoes were a bit of an issue, so this year we are more prepared. New shoes all round to get us to the finish line!

Maria amd Amy’s Grand Challenge - walking and swimming for The Marsden

In April and May 2026, I am taking on two major challenges—The Marsden March and Swim The Night—to celebrate the life of my wonderful colleague, Julie Smith. We sadly lost Julie earlier this year, and her absence has left a huge hole in our lives - she is missed every single day.
This mission is also deeply personal to me. The Royal Marsden has supported me through my own cancer journey, providing the world-class care and expertise that I am so grateful for today. I know firsthand the incredible work they do, and I want to ensure that every patient receives that same hope and dedication.
By walking 15 miles across London and swimming a mile every hour for 24 as part of a team, I’m raising vital funds to help The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity stay at the forefront of research. I’m doing this to thank them for my own recovery and to honour Julie’s memory. Whether it’s miles on foot or laps in the pool, every donation helps me give back to the place that has given me so much.
Thank you for your support—it truly means the world.

Maria x

I am walking for my dad who has Lymphoma and my mum who died of small cell lung cancer in 2019. I am raising funds for The Royal Marsden to ensure that further research takes place, particularly for immunotherapy which is really helping my dad.

Amy x

Our achievements

You increased your target

You shared your page!

You have 5 team members!

Profile picture added

You added a blog post

You've got your first donation

50% of your target raised

Fundraising goal reached!

Thank you to our sponsors

£250

Mark Tierney

They helped my father as well. Good luck my lovely!! 😊

£100

Jason Carter

Good luck xx

£100

Anonymous

How wonderful the joy and awareness you are spreading - and also in memory of Julie. Our family sends all our love, support and strength during your multiple events! Jo, Suresh, Scarlett & Sienna Ellawala

£100

Erica Allason-jones

Best of luck! Both events sound pretty challenging.

£100

E Lavrik

£50

Martin Grover

Dear Maria and Amy, a great cause, good luck x

£50

Laura Davies

Well done Maria and Amy. Go girls x

£50

Jenny K

Amazing effort, Maria, and for a great cause. All the best.

£50

Bernard Adams

Good walking-there are few causes more important than this!

£50

Alison Wright

Enjoy every moment of your fundraising journey!

£50

James And Agi

Great cause and good luck to you both

£50

Polly Adams

Great cause, go for it team!

£50

Polly Adams

Fantastic cause, go team!

£50

Alyssa And Family

Good luck Miss LC, you are an inspiration to all!

£50

Evrim Koksal Arkut

Great cause. Good luck!

£40

Zahra Sharpington

£40

Helen Needham

Enjoy your swimming and walking

£35

Sally

Amazing. All power to you. X

£35

Nando

Rather you than me! Good luck 🤞

£25

Anonymous

Well done!

£20

Vanessa Cowie

Good luck ladies!

£20

Janine Cowdery

You have got this!

£20

Rebecca Jorgensen

Wishing you the best of luck with this—such a great cause!

£20

Anonymous

£20

Moyra Thompson

Go Maria! So proud of you xx

£20

Olivia Stephens

Good luck Maria! Brilliant cause - also helped my Dad

£20

Lauren

Amazing effort, you've got this! From, Elodie, Eden, Lauren & Marcus

£20

Sarah, Theo And Rupert

Good luck Maria! Such a wonderful cause xxx

£20

Carol Farrow

Go girls!!

£20

Rebecca Alexander

Good luck Amy and Maria - a fantastic cause!

£20

Anonymous

Good luck from a Lido swimmer

£20

Sam M-p

Good luck you! Amazing!!

£20

Sam, Rosie, Rory & Family

This is amazing! Good luck and well done!

£20

Susan Rentoul

£20

Eleni

🫶 you’ve got this!

£20

Fiona Adamson

Good luck with the challenge. Get good boots - vivo Barefoot are excellent. No risk of blisters!

£20

Donna

Well done Maria and team - amazing challenge!

£20

Vicky Freestone

A wonderful charity and organisation. Good luck in your training and the event! Vicky, Oli, Joseph and Finley

£15

Amy Adams

£15

Alex, Isabelle, Kate And James

Good luck Mrs LC! You are an inspiration. Julie was a special person and is very much missed.

£15

Lynnda Da Costa

Good luck Maria! Wishing you all the best! X

£15

Sarah Hutchinson

Thank you Maria, you have inspired me to be more positive about my own cancer recovery. Fundraising in memory of dear Julie is wonderful. Good luck.

£10

Laraine

Well done Maria

£10

Joe Carter

good luck ❤️

£10

Patricia D

Dear Maria, Wishing you the very best of luck for both The Marsden March and Swim The Night, truly inspirational challenges to take on. Your discipline and determination are amazing, and I have no doubt you’ll smash them both. Enjoy the experience and be proud of every step and stroke! Patricia xxx

£10

Your God Mum Anne

Such a great charity and Mona would be proud of you Petal. Xx

£10

Charlotte Francis

Good luck Maria - two great challenges for a n incredible cause!

£10

Maria Lambert-carter

£10

Rebecca Philips

Good luck!

£10

Nicky Smith

£10

Jane Stout

£5

Emma B

Good luck, an amazing feat!

£5

Siena And Alfred

Good luck Maria!!

£5

Max Carter

Good luck mother x

£5

Anonymous

£5

Hana Jones

All the best, you're all doing so well!!!

Our team