Hello, thank you for visiting my Just Giving Page.

I am fundraising for St Giles Hospice, Lichfield, in memory of my grandfather, Reginald Wynniatt-Husey. I hope to raise £2,000 by swimming the equivalent length of the English Channel (21miles) in a swimming pool on 31/05/20.

Five years ago, my grandfather, Reginald Wynniatt-Husey ('Umpa' as we called him), was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Despite the ensuing chemotherapy, drugs and regular hospital visits, Umpa continued to live a very happy, fulfilled and active life. Over the Summer of 2019 his condition worsened at an accelerated rate and constant medical attention was needed. We were fortunate to find such attention at St Giles Hospice near Umpa's home in Uttoxeter where he received truly phenomenal care. Without their facilities, staff, equipment and relentless work ethic, we (as a family) would have quickly found ourselves in a hopeless situation. 

St Giles Hospice is an independent charity funded primarily by voluntary giving. They support people in their community whose illnesses may not be curable such as cancer, motor neurone disease, heart failure, MS and respiratory disease. Their service also supports for families and helpers: a dedicated team provides individually-tailored care either at the hospice or in patients’ own homes across the communities.

Due to the lockdown and the fact I am too young to swim the actual Channel, this challenge is the next best thing. I will try to best replicate the conditions including non-stop swimming for approximately 12-13 hours with occasional water/food breaks. The total distance is 21miles which equates to 2,318 lengths in a 15m pool. The training has taken place over the past two months and I am hugely grateful to everyone who has been a part of it. Most importantly, I would like to thank anyone who makes a donation; your contributions provide an immesurable effect for many people living through times of darkness.

Umpa always enjoyed sports and undertook many absurd challenges throughout his life with the same enthusiastic, unwavering (and stubborn) passion. We all loved him very dearly. This fundraiser is just one of a handful we are doing as an extended family, not just in memory, but also in the spirit of him.