​Swim the virtual English Channel for Children born with Half a Heart

Little Hearts Matter, the charity that supports children born with half a heart, are encouraging families to get swimming to raise vital funds to support children battling complex heart conditions.

The initiative, named The Big Hearted Swimathon, takes place over June - August 2015 and participants are being asked to swim as many lengths as they can in their local pool, helping Little Hearts Matter reach its virtual target of 22 miles, the length of the English Channel and an impossible task for any of its child members to even consider!

Suzie Hutchinson, Chief Executive of Little Hearts Matter, said: "All of our Swimathon friends are tackling the challenge in a variety of different ways - from an enthusiastic grandad to a 10 year old girl determined to swim the entire 22 lengths - but all with the ultimate goal: to raise funds to help families navigate their way through life with children with such complex cardiac conditions.

"Learning that your unborn baby has only half a working heart is so frightening for expectant mums and dads. They feel so alone and confused about the complex treatment that their baby will need when they are born. Little Hearts Matter is able to offer them support, information and a friendly voice as they begin and then continue the complex journey that is life when a child has only half a working heart."

Little Hearts Matter was established in 1994 by parents of children with life threatening heart conditions. Every penny raised from The Big Hearted Swimathon will go towards supporting the children and families of those diagnosed and help to ensure children are able to live an active and happy life for as long as possible.

For more information about The Big Hearted Swimathon and to get involved, visit: www.lhm.org.uk, call: 0121 455 8982or email: chantel@lhm.org.uk