Ambassador Ghislaine will be taking part in Hyde Park’s Swim Serpentine this September. A keen swimmer, 26-year-old Ghislaine will be raising funds for Winston’s Wish when she completes a one-mile swim in one of London’s most famous parks.
Ghislaine explains what inspired her to combine her love for swimming with raising funds for Winston’s Wish. She says, “My dad died in a car accident when I was just a week old. I don’t remember him and struggled a great deal with my grief growing up. I never received any formal support, so in hearing about Winston’s Wish I wanted to get involved to help other young people like me.
I have since worked on the Youth Forum at Winston’s Wish which offers advice on what it’s really like to be young and live with grief and helps the organisation to be youth-led. I have appeared on the podcast series Grief in Common, in addition to doing some other exciting events – including visiting Downing Street as an official Youth Ambassador to deliver our government petition!”
Ambassador Ghislaine
“I have now seen the amazing impact that Winston’s Wish has on young people first-hand and can honestly say that I wish I had heard about them sooner. Even just with me being involved with other areas of the organisation, it has helped me to grow and learn about my grief and within myself – something I didn’t expect to still be doing at the age of 26.”
Estimates suggest that more than 100 young people are bereaved of a parent each day and that figure doesn’t equate the children and young adults who are coping with the death of a sibling, relative, friend or another significant individual.
Ghislaine is a keen swimmer and has found a passion for the activity throughout her grief. She comments, “I grew up swimming and always loved water sports. It is also a personal connection to my dad, as he swam when he was growing up too.
I feel at my most calm when I am in the water. I have always loved the peace that comes with being in the water, and always used it as an outlet growing up when things were tough. When I was in the water, I forgot that I was the girl without a dad, and completely threw myself into whatever training I was doing in the moment.
Ghislaine
“I like to do a charity challenge every year, but this is the first physical one I have done. I wanted to push myself to get back into swimming, which is one of the reasons I chose to do this challenge.
“After stepping away from the pool for quite a few years, I’m definitely not what I used to be! My main focus within my training is to build up my stamina so that I can swim with good endurance!
“I have now seen the amazing impact that Winston’s Wish has on young people first-hand and can honestly say that I wish I had heard about them sooner. Even just with me being involved with other areas of the organisation, it has helped me to grow and learn about my grief and within myself – something I didn’t expect to still be doing at the age of 26.”
Want to take part in your own challenge?
Feel inspired by Ghislaine’s Swim Serpentine event? Then head over to our official events page and choose a challenge that suits you. Whether that be swimming, walking, running or cycling, we’ve got you covered!