Thanks for visiting my Channel Challenge fundraising page.
I first heard about swimming across The Channel when I was a young child. At the time I was passionate about water sports and I found the idea of swimming to France rather appealing. The older I became the more I realised what an immense challenge this was and my life became filled with the usual run of exams and education and then raising a family. When my children were 2 and 4 years old, my husband was diagnosed with cancer and life seemed even more cruel when, 6 years later, during his second relapse, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. When I was widowed 5 years later, I returned to swimming for a little exercise and escapism and within a few months found I was swimming for several hours at a time. My children were very supportive of me re-engaging with my childhood dream of swimming The Channel and walked by the river bank at 7 a.m. as I began to experience swimming in open water. Last year, unexpectedly, I met someone who rekindled my motivation and I eventually took the plunge and registered for the swim. My partner has inspired my training, swimming or paddling beside me in his canoe. Training is becoming more and more intense and I hope that you will support one or other or both of my chosen charities in recognition of the effort and determination I have to succeed. I have met all costs for the swim myself, so any amount you feel able to give will benefit the charities directly. You'll see my fundraising target on the right and your donation can really help me smash this goal.
Remember: Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never share them with anyone or send you unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. They'll make sure Gift Aid (an additional 25%) is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer, too. That means more money goes to the charity, faster, with JustGiving.
So please dig deep and donate now.
