This weekend swimmers from across Norfolk will be donning their goggles and making a splash for Swimathon 2017 in support of Marie Curie.

The event, which runs from Friday April 7 to Sunday April 9, will involve pools in Norwich, Thetford, North Walsham, Sheringham and Dereham.

Jenn Maycock from Walcott is one of the swimmers from Norfolk taking part this weekend.

When Ms Maycock was four-years-old, her father Geoff was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and despite chemotherapy, he also developed secondary cancer, which was incurable.

Ms Maycock remembers the Marie Curie nurses coming to her home and helping care for her father and also to support her mother. 'This was a really hard time for my mum, but was a relief having the Marie Curie nurses to be with Dad, looking after him,' she said. 'It meant that Mum was able to have some rest and respite'.

Receiving care from the Marie Curie nurses meant that when Geoff very sadly died on Boxing Day, he was in the comfortable surroundings of his own home, with his family around him.

Having lost her father at such a young age, Ms Maycock developed a particularly close bond with her granddad John who became like a second dad to her, so it was especially hard for her and her mother when it was confirmed only 10 years later that he had lung cancer. Marie Curie nurses also cared for John, so he could stay at home which meant they could make the most of their remaining time together.

Olympic gold medalist Duncan Goodhew and the sporting soprano Laura Wright are heading up this year's campaign, and will both be getting in the pool over the weekend to take on their own Swimathon challenges.

Marie Curie is the official charity of Swimathon 2017. Marie Curie is the UK's leading charity for people with any terminal illness. The charity helps people living with a terminal illness and their families make the most of the time they have together by delivering expert hands-on care, emotional support, research and guidance.

Last year, Marie Curie cared for and supported over 50,000 people affected by terminal illness across the UK.

If you have questions about terminal illness, need support or just want to talk, call the Marie Curie Support Line on 0800 090 2309.