Hi, my name is Otto Putland.

I train at City of Hereford and University of Bath Swimming Clubs. I know that all of you who are serious about swimming like a challenge so here goes...

In March 2006 I read about Laurie Engel. Laurie was a boy like me. He was interested in all sports and he wanted to win (in his case tennis). Laurie was my age when he was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer. He had horrible treatment for seventeen months and sadly died last September aged 13. But before he died Laurie told his parents that he wanted to make a difference. On the day he died his parents made the first phone call to Teenage Cancer Trust.

I decided to use my swimming to raise awareness of teenage cancer and to help raise funds for Teenage Cancer Trust so wherever I swim in public I shall swim with the number 6 on my arms to represent the 6 teenagers who are diagnosed with cancer every day in our country.

In the first six weeks of my fundraising I raised £1000. I have now raised over £27,000 with funds still coming in.

Olympic medallist Steve Parry, Commonwealth medalist Alex Scotcher and GB swimmer Darren Mew have all pledged their support along with TCT's Ambassador and multiple Paralympics Champion Marc Woods