Emily Cooper’s life changed forever after the tragic drowning of her partner, Vincent Le Goascoz, in Bristol Harbour. Vincent, a beloved language teacher at Fairfield High School in Horfield, fell into the water at Redcliff Quay in December 2023, and despite a search, his body was recovered days later. At just 35 years old, Vincent’s sudden loss left Emily shattered and deeply fearful of water.
Describing Vincent as a “warm and kind” soul, Emily shared how his death has caused “huge bouts of grief” and a crippling fear of water. “He used to call me his mermaid,” Emily recalled, “but since Vince drowned, even bathing has been a struggle. I even avoid tap water—it feels like the water that took him.”
Determined to reclaim her strength and honor her partner’s memory, Emily has embarked on an extraordinary challenge: swimming the length of the English Channel, a grueling 22 miles. This journey is not only a quest to overcome her “paralysing” fear but also a fundraiser for Diabetes UK. Vincent had been diagnosed with type-1 diabetes in his mid-20s, and Emily emphasizes the importance of medical research in extending his life and theirs together.
“Without that research, he wouldn’t have been here for those years we shared,” Emily said. “Vince used his role as a teacher to support students with diabetes, showing incredible compassion.”
Halfway through her challenge, Emily has raised nearly £700. Although some swims feel easier than others, she admits moments of intense grief and panic still surface in the water. Yet, her resolve remains strong.
“We were both water babies who loved swimming. After his death, I was petrified, but now I’m fighting that fear because it’s what Vince would’ve wanted,” she said. “He used to say, ‘You can’t live your life in fear.’”
Emily remembers Vincent as her soulmate, “the most incredible, kind, and courageous person.” Taking on this swim in his memory is not just a physical feat—it’s a tribute to their love and his enduring spirit.