Rachael Down, a retired social worker from Gorleston, has fibromyalgia, a long-term condition that causes widespread pain and fatigue.

Despite the daily challenges the illness brings, she is preparing to swim the 21 miles from Dover to Cap Gris-Nez in France on July 31.

"I am doing this because I’m turning 60 on July 29. I just want to do something memorable and push myself a little bit," she said.

Rachel Down, 59, is a lifelong swimmer and lives with fibromyalgia which causes chronic pain and fatigue. (Image: Submitted)

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