Alex O'Brien

Smashing through the weekly goal

I am swimming 10km for science and children

I’ve been a swimmer all my life—being in the water is where I feel most at home. So when I heard about the challenge to swim 8km this March in support of Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity (GOSH Charity), it felt like a must-do for me. In fact, I will round it up to swimming 10Km ! As a mother and a science writer, I know how vital research and specialist care are for children facing serious illness.

Childhood should be a time of joy, curiosity, and adventure. But for too many children, rare or complex conditions make that impossible. These illnesses can be devastating, life-limiting, and require pioneering treatments—sometimes, research is their only hope. That’s why GOSH Charity goes beyond just care; it’s the UK’s largest dedicated funder of child health research, pushing the boundaries of medicine to develop next-generation treatments and even cure the 'incurable.'

Every kilometre I swim and every pound raised will help fund these breakthroughs—giving seriously ill children the best chance at a longer, brighter future. And if we smash through my £1,000 target, I’ll not only contribute £250 myself, but I’ll push even further—adding an extra 10km to my goal.

Let’s make it count—why not? Please help me keep swimming by donating whatever you can. Every bit makes a difference!