My father had his first heart attack aged just 47 and died of another aged 58.  He was an enormous influence in my life and encouraged my swimming from an early age. He would be hugely proud to know I am attempting to swim 22 miles across the English Channel, through the cold, dark, jellyfish, floating debris and shipping lanes.  He would likely have joked about loaning me money for a ferry ticket if I was that desperate to get to France.  

Do I have what it takes mentally and physically to take on the 'Everest of swimming' and succeed?  I hope so.  I do know I don't want to look back on my life and wonder 'What if..?'.

I am raising money for Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland to give a focus to my swimming.  If the research, advice, information and support provided as a result of my fundraising can assist one person or one family to lower their risk and prevent a death or improve a life then hey, the pain of training is worth every minute of selfishness I am dedicating to this attempt.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.