Background

As a teenager in the 1980’s I was a competitive swimmer and water polo player. In the summer of 2019, following a break from swimming of nearly 30 years, I signed up to participate in a 1,500m open water swim. I really enjoyed swimming again, and since then, I have been swimming and training more and more each year including 2 English Channel relay swims, a 2-way Lake Windermere swim and a 2-way Lake Ullswater swim

The Challenge

In September 2022 I attempted an English Channel solo swim in difficult conditions reaching French inshore waters after just over 12 hours of swimming before the swim was aborted. On 14th September 2023 I completed a successful swim landing in Strouanne in a time 14 hours 26 minutes. Huge thanks for all of the support I received on the day particularly from all of the crew on the boat.

The Charity

I am raising money for a local based charity and college, The Oaks, which is a specialist college providing education and support 18- to 25-year-olds with learning difficulties in Kent and East Sussex. The objective of the college is very much to treat their learners, as young adults, who with specialist input, education and coaching can work towards independence and, wherever possible, employment. 

Here is a link to the college website where you can find out a bit more about the college and the incredible work that they do.

https://www.theoaks.ac.uk/

I have funded all of the costs of the training and swims myself, and therefore all the money raised will go to the college. Any support and donations received are really appreciated by myself and the college.