Fatboy Swims to Molly’s Aid

The cause

“Molly’s story touched me because her situation highlights the plight of single families trying to raise funds for disabled children. Individuals cannot become charities and as such cannot use schemes “just giving” websites or claim “gift aid”, said John.

Molly (aged 9) recently suffered a debilitating stroke due to a rare condition called Phace Syndrome which is due to an abnormal arterial formation in her brain whereby some of her blood vessels are narrow, or blocked.

In August 2009, Molly developed an aneurism which bled and led to Molly’s subsequent stroke. This affected the part of the brain which controls all motor signals including her ability to move, speak and swallow.  Following intensive therapy, Molly is now able to attend school, albeit in a wheelchair and with the use of a walking frame.

The swim

John, 45, will undertake the mammoth swim which will start from just outside of Dover to Cap Gris Nez in France, a distance of around 26 miles depending on weather and the tides. John is covering his costs personally, estimated at £5000.00 so is looking for generous donations to make it worthwhile to support Molly’s continual rehabilitation.

John has called his venture: Fatboy Swim and even received permission from Norman Cook (aka Fatboy Slim) to include the song ‘Right Here, Right Now‘ on his website: www.fatboy-swim.org.uk

John added: “The training is arduous and the conditions will be challenging. The temperature of the water will be between 14-16 degrees and previous swimmers have encountered everything from various forms of sea life to lumps of wood. Please have a look at the website, even to see a picture of me in a very fetching orange hat, and donate what you can or help to spread the word by forwarding the site details to as many people as you can. Every little will help Molly to one day become independent”.