Dear All,

I know, I know, someone else asking for money from your ever depleting funds, but just hear me out and I hope I can make you decide to part with a wee bit more....

Last year I decided to Swim the great Swim series, I did 2 but the others were cancelled. This year I have decided that I need to complete them, but with an added twist! I will be swimming a mile in the Salford Quays in May, 2km in Strathclyde Loch and, get this, 2 - yes 2 miles in Lake Windermere!! Now those of you who know me will know that I am no sport Billy! I am not a fast swimmer, I plod, but I ultimately intend to complete all these swims - Monster Pike and all!!

I have chosen the East Lancs Hospice because I believe that everyone deserves to end their days in a comfortable and dignified way. The East Lancs Hospice strives to enable this for all of their service users. However, in order to make this happen they need to raise an extraordinary amount of money to keep going. I would love to contribute to this in whatever way I can.

I am also doing this challenge for personal reasons. My own cancer diagnosis made me vow that every year I am alive I will do some form of challenge that makes me feel just that - Alive.                         I am also doing it for my wonderful Mum who had her own battle with cancer at the beginning of this year, and then there is Eric, a fabulous man who sadly lost his battle eariler this year, leaving behind his wife Trish, daughter Katie and grandaughter Matilda, I am going to do this for him and them....so, there you go, many reasons to don a VERY unflattering wetsuit (I should be sponsored for being brave enough to do that!!), get in that FREEZING cold water, and swim amongst those rather large and scary pike.... 

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.

I really hope I have convinced you that it is worth donating for me...I'll even post pics, horrible wetsuit and all!!

Thanks so much.

Love, happiness and good health to you.

Joolz xxx