Walter Benjamin said that all truly great books establish their own genre. Charles Sprawson's Haunts of the Black Masseur is one of those truly great books and has spawned a host of imitations and tributes. It's the best book about swimming ever written. Charles has been unwell - he is suffering from vascular dementia - and is currently in a secure hospital ward in London. He has ongoing care needs which will necessarily cost his family.

One of the most brilliant passages in Charles's book is his description of crossing the Hellespont - the straits that separate Europe from Asia. On 6th June, I'll be making my own attempt. Byron swam the four mile stretch 200 years ago. Leander drowned on his way to visit Hero. I'll be setting out with a wheezy pair of lungs and very modest open water swimming experience. Like Byron, I’ll be breaststroking across.

All money raised will go to Charles's family to support his care.