Dear 11 year old Luke:
A letter to Channel Swimmer Luke Belfield's younger self

Dear 11 year old Luke,

We can’t even begin to describe the future that lies ahead of you. Right now the pain you are experiencing makes it impossible to believe that one day you will be a hero. An inspiration to so many people. Accomplishing what seems impossible...

One day, you are going to become a strong athlete taking part in several sports but one will become very special to you. A sport you can do even when your joints aren’t feeling 100%. Something that can keep your muscles strong, your heart healthy and your body moving. This sport will take you to places you never imagined – both geographically and emotionally.

Luke, you are going to be a swimmer. A very good swimmer. And you will start to dream big. You’ll decide to do something that no-one with JIA has ever done before. Your dream will be to swim the English Channel.

At 11 years old, with your body riddled with pain, and with misdiagnosis after misdiagnosis, you won’t even believe that to be a possibility. Living with what can only be described as a kind of shame of having arthritis – a condition that everyone around you tells you is for older people – makes it really hard for you at this stage of your young life. You’ve had to grow up fast and learn to cope with things that no child should ever have to cope with.

You’re learning vital skills and developing qualities that will lead you to do magnificent things. You don’t realise it now – it just feels tough and unfair but you are developing such incredible skills beyond any of your peers… tenacity, perseverance, overcoming adversity, resilience, courage, bravery, creativity, organisational skills, patience, determination and so many other skills and qualities.  

Better times are coming!

On Wednesday 8th July 2026 something amazing happens – you do it! You become the first known person with JIA to swim the channel!!!

Well, it doesn’t just happen. You made it happen through your dedication, planning, hard-work, training, overcoming setbacks, picking yourself up again and again, and pressing on towards that dream with more passion, enthusiasm and energy than most people can muster in a lifetime.

Because Luke, you are AMAZING!

Hundreds of people, from all around the globe will root for you and cheer for you. With the wonders of technology (which 11 year old you wouldn’t believe if we told you about!) they get to track your swim and see photos and videos of you as you make that crossing stroke by stroke.

Luke – CONGRATULATIONS! We at Team JAR couldn’t be more proud of you – your personal accomplishment AND what it means to others – You are a hero, an inspiration, a role-model, a symbol of what is possible even WITH JIA. We’re excited to see who will follow in your footsteps because you’ve enabled them to dream big.

Oh, and there’s one other little thing to mention – You raise thousands for charities. We are so humbled and grateful that you have raised over £2,600 for Juvenile Arthritis Research so that we can be there for the Lukes of the future, when they are 11 years old, struggling with being unable to move and in pain, and when they most need the support to know that they too can have an incredible future ahead. Thank you for making that possible!

From all your friends at Juvenile Arthritis Research