Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Two years ago, after much badgering from my friend Billy, I entered my first and only Triathlon.  It was the shortest Triathlon I could find - a sprint event - with the swim in the River Thames.  Having nearly drowned myself, I decided I needed to work on my swimming.  No better motivation than a challenge...

On Saturday 18th August 2018, Billy and I will swim from Fort Gilkicker in Gosport to Ryde Sands on the Isle of Wight.  It's about 3 miles, the water will be about 15 degrees (i.e. blinking cold), and we'll be contending with a busy shipping lane.  Not to mention a constant stream of abuse from my brothers, who are threatening to come along in a kayak to 'support' us.

The swim is in support of Aspire (www.aspire.org.uk), a UK charity which provides practical help to people who have been paralysed by Spinal Cord Injury, supporting them from injury to independence.

Every eight hours, someone in the UK is paralysed by spinal cord injury. Disability is expensive; lightweight wheelchairs can cost up to £4,000. Through Aspire Grants, Aspire helps buy lightweight wheelchairs, so people can live more independent lives. Aspire also visits newly injured patients in hospital to offer support and advice, and point people to services such as Aspire Housing, which is a temporary accessible housing solution. Aspire also trains people, regardless of their level of injury, to use computers with the aid of Assistive Technology. Aspire can helps people with spinal cord injuries to live independent and fulfilled lives.