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A woman from Caerphilly with a heart condition is taking on a 1.4-mile swim to raise money for the British Heart Foundation (BHF).

Becky Rosser, 25, is taking on the BHF Bournemouth Pier to Pier swim on Saturday July 1 to raise £500 for the charity.

Becky lives with long QT syndrome – after being diagnosed at just six years old following her second cardiac arrest.

According to the NHS, long QT syndrome is an inherited heart problem that affects how your heart beats and can cause fainting or fits (seizures). 

Now, Becky wants to complete the challenge from Bournemouth to Boscombe Pier to show people that she’s not going to let the condition stop her.

She said: “I’m doing the Bournemouth Pier to Pier swim as I want to inspire others to let them know that as long as it’s within your boundaries, you can achieve your goals and dreams.  

“I also want to raise as much as I can for the BHF. Its research is so important and gives people a chance to live a bit longer. The only thing that’s constant in life is change and the BHF offers that change in positive ways.” 

Long QT syndrome is a rare condition that affects up to 1 in 2,000 people but has deeply affected Becky’s family as her brother has it and her mother died from the condition at the age of 25 – the same age Becky is now. 

Becky said: “I’m now the same age my mother was when died from this disease. It’s heartbreaking to think that I’ve outlived her, but I try to focus on the positives in life.” 

Becky will join nearly 2,000 swimmers taking on the challenge to aid research into new cures and treatments for heart and circulatory conditions. 

Roisin Greenup, senior event manager at the British Heart Foundation said: “Despite everything that Becky has faced so far, she is still zipping up her wetsuit and fastening her goggles to help make a difference to those with heart and circulatory diseases and continue to make medical advancements in this area.

“Every single stroke our swimmers take will help to power science with the potential to beat heart and circulatory diseases. We’re extremely grateful for Becky’s support and can’t wait to cheer her over the finish line.”

Donate to Becky’s JustGiving page here.