Hertfordshire teen swims for dad she never knew

Hertfordshire teen swims for dad she never knew

A Hertfordshire teen is taking on this year’s Swimathon to honour the memory of the father she never got to know. Emi Johnson, 14, from St Albans, will be swimming alongside her mum, Sophie (44) in a heartfelt tribute to the dad who died when she was just six months old.

They’ll be joined by Emi’s step‑brother Jacob (16)and step‑father Will (49)as they honour Sophie’s late partner, Mark Johnson, who died from stomach and bowel cancer at just 29 years old.

The family is urging people across Hertfordshire to make a splash for good causes this March by signing up for Swimathon 2026 to raise money for Cancer Research UK, the end‑of‑life charity Marie Curie and the Swimathon Foundation.

By sharing their story, Emi and Sophie hope to inspire people to support the causes close to their heart, urging others to dive in too. Swimathon – the world’s largest annual pool‑based fundraising swim – takes place from 20–22 March at venues across Hertfordshire, including Hatfield Swim Centre, Harpenden Leisure Centre, Westminster Lodge Leisure Centre, Stevenage Swimming Centre, Hartham Leisure Centre, Ware Priory Lido, Hitchin Swimming and Fitness Centre, Watford - Woodside Leisure Centre, Everyone Active Hemel Hempstead

Between 2009 and 2011, Sophie and Mark spent a year living in Japan and travelling across Australia, even buying a car and living out of the back of it for six months. But shortly after Sophie fell pregnant and the couple returned to the UK, their world was turned upside down.

Not long after they arrived home, Mark began to fall seriously ill. He was being sick constantly, and a visit to the GP revealed a worrying mass. What followed was weeks of hospital tests and uncertainty as doctors tried to understand what was wrong, leaving the young couple shuttling between the maternity ward and the oncology unit while Sophie was heavily pregnant.

Sophie said: “We were basically living in the hospital while Mark underwent tests to try and find out what was wrong. Eventually we were told that Mark had cancer and the prognosis wasn’t good.”

When Sophie went into labour with Emi, Mark was undergoing chemotherapy. “I remember having contractions and Mark wanted to stay with me, but he was so ill he just couldn’t. It was heartbreaking,” she said.

Emi was just six months old when her father died. “Emi didn’t know her dad at all,” Sophie added. “She never got the chance, and that’s something no child should go through. It really was the toughest time of my life. Emi was a wonderfully bouncy, warm and clever human being as soon as she arrived. We’ve never let our sadness stop us from achieving what we want. She has always loved the water, and swimming comes very naturally to her.”

“My experience means I understand all too clearly why events like Swimathon are so crucial to help fund the work of charities like Cancer Research UK and Marie Curie that rely on our support. A friend at work is going through cancer treatment now and her experience brought everything back again. I’m taking part in this year’s Swimathon because I want to try and make a difference and raise funds for vital research."

Emi, who swims three times a week with her swimming club in St Albans, said: “I never got to know my dad, and I wouldn’t want anyone to got through a similar experience as my mum. I feel that raising money for these charities will help other families in the future when they are going through devastating circumstances.”

Sophie, a teaching assistant at a primary school, said taking part in the Swimathon is her way of keeping Mark’s memory alive while supporting vital cancer research. “Mark was only 28. We’d travelled the world together. We never imagined life would change so quickly. Swimming together as a family to help raise awareness and funds feels like the right way to honour him.”

The family of four is supporting Swimathon in its 40th anniversary year.

What started in 1986 as an initiative to increase participation in swimming at local authority pools has become an incredible force for good. To date, more than 750,000 swimmers have taken part across the UK and raised over £55 million for charity.

Sophie added: “For the last 40 years, Swimathon has been bringing people together to enjoy the benefits of swimming – whilst making a vital difference to thousands. It’s not about being the fittest or the fastest. It’s the taking part that counts. So, I hope as many people as possible grab their caps and costumes and jump at the opportunity to get involved.”

Swimathon offers a variety of individual challenges from 500m up to a supercharged Triple 5k, or teams of 2–5 people can take part in a 1.5k, 2.5k or 5k relay.

Anyone who can’t make one of the organised sessions can sign up to MySwimathon, like Sophie and Emi, and choose a distance, time and venue that suits them to complete their swim between 1–31 March.

Cancer Research UK spokesperson for Hertfordshire, Patrick Keely, said: “With new technologies opening doors to new discoveries, we’re living in a golden age of cancer research. But around 38,200 people are diagnosed with the disease every year in the East of England, so we must go further and faster.

“Fundraising events like Swimathon are vital to fuel more progress. Every length swum will help bring us closer to a world where more people live longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer. That’s why we’re urging first‑timers and seasoned swimmers alike to take the plunge and be part of Swimathon’s extraordinary legacy. Together we can power the next wave of cancer breakthroughs.”

National Events Manager at Marie Curie, Hannah Grant, said: “This March, people can dive into a fun, new challenge and raise money for a great cause. There’s only one chance to give someone the best possible end of life. That’s why we’re urging swimmers of all abilities to head down to their local pool to raise money and help Marie Curie bring expert end‑of‑life care to more people, whatever their illness.”

Joining the charities’ rallying cry to get off the starting blocks and sign up for this year’s Swimathon is a host of famous faces, from celebrity supporters Ayo Akinwolere, Dr Ranj, Dermot O’Leary, Tim Lovejoy and Kate Thornton to athletes Alice Dearing, Michael Gunning, Giles Long, Nell McAndrew, Cassandra Patten, Lauren Steadman and BBC’s Emily Steel, aka Dynamite.