My Story

 Thank you for taking the time to visit our JustGiving.com page on behalf of the Douglas Macmillan Hospice.

In June of this year, my friend and I will undertake the challenge of a lifetime and swim the English Channel.  We are swimming in a 4 man relay the full 22 miles from Dover harbour to the shores of Calais.  It is the equivalent of more than 700 lengths of an Olympic sized swimming pool. We are currently training very hard as swimming in open water is difficult, potentially dangerous and requires full physical fitness.  We will be contending with a constantly changing tide, potentially huge swells, debris, pollution and our own physical endurance and stamina.There have been many people that have undertaken this challenge in the past and many of them have failed.

My name is James Gibson joining me is Tim Hughes  we are from Newcastle-under-Lyme in North Staffordshire. We are all average guys who are determined to complete this mammoth challenge.  We all have a sporting background and we consider ourselves to be both physically and mentally fit and able.  Luckily for us, our GPs agree!

 We are raising money for the Douglas Macmillan Hospice as a thank you for the on-going hard work that they do.It is a sad fact that long term illness that has touched many of our lives. The Douglas Macmillan Hospice provides help to patients and their families when they need it most.  Their work around the North Staffordshire area is nothing short of awe-inspiring.  They give comfort and support to those with long term and terminal illnesses supported by a full range of clinical support services that include Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Lymphoedema, Chaplaincy, Bereavement Support, Social Work, Psychology and Diversional Therapies. They offer comprehensive specialist palliative care to adults in North Staffordshire with progressive, advanced diseases and a limited life expectancy, in a dignified and professional manner.  They also offer help and support to patients and their loved ones from the initial stages of bereavement, through to the completion of the patient’s life.

 It costs approximately £8million per year to keep the hospice running. The hospice employs around 220 staff and has the support of over 700 volunteers who work in all areas of the hospice.It is not difficult to understand why we chose to assist them by raising money through our swim.

If you would like to show your support for our epic swim, donations are being graciously accepted via this Justgiving.com page.

Wish us luck!