Dear All,

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.  

I like to set myself challenges in order to raise funds for charity. My current challenge is to raise funds for Aspire by swimming the Channel distance of 22 miles in my local pool over a period of 12 weeks.  I am therefore covering a distance of almost 2 miles a week.  This is in addition to my usual running, cycling and kickboxing pursuits, so it's pretty tiring!

Becoming paralysed through having a spinal injury must be devastating.  Those of you who know me know that I like to run, bike, swim and generally be active.  To have my mobility taken away from me would be life changing and devastating to deal with.  I want to help those people who have had to face this, which is why I have decided to do the swim.

Aspire is a charity that works with people with spinal cord injury to create opportunity, choice and independence. Their national services and programmes include adapted housing for people leaving hospital if houses aren’t yet accessible, specialist computer equipment, independent living advisors who provide direct support and advice for people recently injured and the Human Needs Fund, which people can apply to for funding for specialist equipment. Aspire ensures that everyone with a spinal cord injury has the opportunity to live an independent and fulfilled life.

Aspire receives no statutory funding, so every penny raised through the Aspire Channel Swim will help them to continue their vital work.

• £100 will buy the duvet and pillows for one of our adapted houses
• £350 will buy SmartNav technology for a PC to enable someone with a high level spinal injury to use a computer
• £700 will buy a laptop and an accessible bed table for a child in hospital so they can continue to study and stay connected to friends whilst recovering
• £1,000 will provide a rise and fall hob or sink in one of our adapted houses
• £2,500 will buy a made to measure lightweight wheelchair

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.

Thank you

Jem x