Weekly Updates

16th July 2012 Update

6 days to the big swim, feeling quite nervous, have managed a series of 7 mile swims, and lots of tri swim sessions and Hythe Master club sessions.  Think its fair to say ive swam the distance at least once and maybe twice since Christmas.  There has also been lots of lake swimming a Leybourne, which makes a lovely change from lane after lane of the pool.  Have had some shoulder trouble and hope this doesn't stop me on the day - keep watching David Walliams's Big Swim for inspiration.  The swim now kicks off at 6pm in the evening on Saturday, and I think it will take me at least 15 to 16 hours. So if I'm really lucky, 9 or 10 am on Sunday morning.  Think I know what I will be doing on Sunday........sleeping!

Thank you all for your support for such a fantastic charity.

 

15th April Update

Since last update, have worked up to a 3 and a half mile swim in one go, all good, equates to 224 lenghts.  4 miles next week, am at Hythe pool early every Sunday (plus 2 eve swims).  Also ran the Hythe 10 mile run and met to lovely runners for Pilgrims Hospice - Claire and Rob, have a look at their page.  Smiley picture in gallery, roll on the next event. Thanks for all my recent donations.

26th March Update

To keep the training up, ran the Sport Relief Mile (pic on page) and followed it up with a one mile swim (33 mins) at Hythe Pool afterwards.  Have attached short video with fetching black hat!

21 March Update

3 mile swim completed on Sunday morning 18th, each mile took an average of 37 mins, nice and steady and all felt good, am aiming to increase my Sunday morning swim by a mile per week until I'm swimming 6/7 hours.  Went to London on Monday and saw a "donation sign" in the National Portrait Gallery, have added it to my pictures as it made me think of my swim!

Thank you for all my online donations todate, they are so gratefully received and very generous.  Thank you to Alfred Bros Charitable Trust whose offline donation have meant I've achieved and surpassed my original target.

My Story

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I am taking part in Hythe Swimming Pool Cross Channel Distance Swim to raise money for the Pilgrims Hospices.  This involves the mammoth task of swimming 22 miles (that’s1416 lengths!) overnight at the pool on the 21st/ 22nd July.   At my current swimming rate this is likely to take me approximately 15 hours. 

I'll be swimming when you are having your dinner, supper, breakfast and possibly your Sunday lunch!  I am hoping to improve on this time through my training, although will be happy to finish regardless.

This event has been organised by Mike Smith (Swimming Coach and Iron Man),  pictured on my photos. Mike was training for a Double Iron Man when a tumour was discovered in his spinal cord.  The removal of the tumour left Mike paralysed in his right leg.  Shortly after his operation, two of Mike’s brothers were also diagnosed with cancer and unfortunately they both died from the illness. 

Mike was keen to support the valuable work of the Pilgrims Hospices having seen and experienced the effects of cancer first hand.  Unable to complete his training for the Double Iron Man, Mike looked for a new challenge.  Swimming is one of the only sports he can still participate in, so he decided on a Cross Channel Distance Swim Challenge. 

Unfortunately, due to recent complications with his leg, Mike is no longer able to participate in this challenge.  However, through his enthusiasm and determination he has managed to inspire 22 crazy people to attempt the challenge on his behalf. As a swimming coach he is helping with his expert advice and encouragement to those of us taking part.

I'll be posting regular updates, photos and videos of the team in training. I'm doing lots of fitness events to support my "huge swim", these include, the Hythe to Folkestone 10 mile run, Folkestone Coastal Run, Sport Relief Mile and the Lydd, Liverpool and London triathlons and many others over the summer to help prepare me.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.