John, I never once imagined a day where I’d have to worry about swimming in the sea making me sick.

Swimming is so important for me. I swim in Worthing all year round – it gives me pleasure, happiness and freedom. But last September, my feelings changed.

I’d spent the summer enjoying the crystal-clear waters with my two children, Harry and Estere. But one day after swimming, Estere’s body suddenly became covered in nasty red spots. I was shocked, and Estere was so upset. But it was only after coming across the Safer Seas and Rivers Service (SSRS) app that it all made sense: we’d been swimming in sewage.

John, the app could’ve saved my daughter from becoming so sick. It’s our only defence against disgusting waters, but right now, it needs help.

So I wanted to ask if you could donate to the urgent appeal to save it – there are just 5 days left to help:
 

I didn’t want to believe it at first. That enjoying the water as a family, which we’ve done for our entire lives, could cause such a horrible physical reaction for my daughter.

But what makes me so worried is how it could’ve been even worse. I’ve read dozens of other people’s sickness reports on the app now – rashes, conjunctivitis, sinus infections, bladder infections, diarrhoea, vomiting. How is this OK?  

Every time I open the app, it’s sickening seeing the amount of pollution alerts all over the country. I find it maddening that I have to stop and check the app before deciding if I can swim or not. And even crazier that water companies are getting away with intentionally dumping pollution into our seas.

John, that day I was disgusted by the water. Today, I’m disgusted by water companies.

Will you donate to save the app and make sure they can’t get away with killing our rivers and seas? If, like me, our waters means the world to you, this is such an important thing you can do to save them: ​​​​​​​
 

Thank you for reading my story. I hope you never have to go through what my daughter did, and that we save the app this week so it can keep saving us all.

Liene
Mum and swimmer

P.S. For this whole week, every single pound donated to the appeal will be doubled, so there really is no time to waste. This is our chance to make sure this free service stays afloat – will you donate today to help save it?