UPDATE: Emily was one of the youngest (enquiries are now complete and we can confirm she was the 4th youngest) to participate in the swim only meeting the 12 yr age limit by 10 days. 

Emily completed the course in a fantastic 25'25" and this was after a rushed start where the stewards helped put her wetsuit back on right-side-in ;-) It also had a hole in the seam. She had no time in the acclimatisation area (water temp 16.4°C /  61.5° F) and looked very lonely entering the water last in her '8:30am Wave'. She claims to have swum using a combination of doggy paddle, breast and back stroke which surely must be some kind of record. Official place 136/182 overall ; 81/104 for under 34 age group (that's a very large age group!!) - WELL DONE EMILY :-D

Neil completed the mile in a respectable 49'38" and was very happy despite suffering cramp in both feet and his left calf causing him to go off course a wee bit causing a confusing conversation with a safety Kayaker ;-) "Aim for the orange bollards", "I am you fool!"

-- www.vimeo.com/6869679

As some of you know, my wife Robyn is a DSUK instructor and I'm still a lowly trainee yet to complete some shadowing hours. We all help out at the local group which meets once a month.

The range of people who benefit is enormous, from blind children to amputees. Even our son Oliver who has severe brain damage has been able to enjoy swooshing down the hill in a sit-ski.

The local group (just to give a ground level example) needs funds for such things as repair & maintenance to the sometimes very expensive kit. Even a sling which attaches to a sit-ski so it can be taken up the drag lift can cost around £200. At the moment there are not enough slings for all the sit-skis so sometimes they have to share. Sitting in a sit-ski can get very cold so the more runs they can do in the short time they have is invaluable.

DSUK makes a difference. Teaching disabled children, parents or soldiers to ski can enable a whole family to participate in a ski holiday in a way no other therapy can. 

Check out the video for some great examples of the valuable difference DSUK makes to people with ALL kinds of disability.

Don't forget to click the Gift-Aid option :-)