Hi my name is Helen and I am fundraising for my SEQ Level 2 In Teaching Swimming: https://share.google/Pr9NSiIi2cRJWTh4P and some teaching resources.

I have already completed level 1. My goal is to set up a charity/community interest company so that I can teach people to swim who for whatever reason haven't had the chance to learn. I believe everyone should be able to learn to swim if they want to.

Living by the coast I also feel being able to swim is a particularly important life skill as many people get into trouble each year in the sea who cannot swim. In fact a surprisingly high proportion of our coastal communities cannot swim.

My personal swimming journey started when I had my first lessons at age 2 and I would swim in the sea and at swimming pools at home and abroad for leisure . I progressed through the different stages of swim school before starting synchronised swimming. I used to compete and perform as a synchronised swimmer. I then attended lessons to improve my strokes.

In my twenties I completed my degree in early childhood studies and health studies and to stay fit I started aquacise. When I moved up north I joined an inclusive group for synchronised swimming as part of the this girl can campaign.

I returned to Kent and started working for a charity supporting unpaid Carers. I worked with a number of Young Adult Carers who mentioned that they would love to learn to swim as this was not possible when they were younger due to finances and caring responsibilities. It made me want to help. At this time I started my blog on Instagram and Facebook called Merfolke (originally mermaid in human fancy dress) so that I could share my love of swimming and the sea and meet some like minded people.

I would be so grateful for any support.