Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. 

Please note this event is happening in June 2021 not 2020 as stated above.

In early 1979, I was born 10 weeks prematurely. What followed was  an ordeal for my parents.                                  

I weighed 3 lb 1 oz, unable to breathe by myself. I was rushed to the recently opened Trevor Mann Baby Unit at Brighton RSCH where my new home for the next four weeks was a Incubator.  Three of those weeks on a ventilator. My weight dropped to 2 lb 13 oz and the nurses had to resort to feeding me via peripheral intravenous catheter via the veins in my head as the veins in my arms was small and collapsed easily. 

This was way before the technology of digital cameras and phones. My parents were left with a Polaroid picture of me before I was whisked away wrapped in tin foil  by ambulance to RSCH hospital.  For my parents to then see me with tubes like that must have been horrendous.  I was told I was so small I fitted in the palm of my dads hand and my gran had to make dolls clothes to fit me. 

After 4 weeks I was transferred back to Cuckfield Hospital where at least my parents could get to daily to visit. At 7 weeks my mum moved back into hospital to bond with me and prepare for taking me home. 

The Alexa Trust goes that step further in supporting the parents of Babies in Neonatal, relieving their needs by helping out with grants and other such support as well as helping out with Milk hubs and vital equipment for training and use at neonatal units.

I’m planning on swimming the channel as part of a team of six in order to raise vital funds to towards this amazing local charity.  The Channel is roughly 22.5 miles. 146 years ago, Captain Matthew Webb was the first recorded person to swim across. It’s still remains one of the most gruelling feats of human endeavour with many attempting and failing. Tides, weather , sickness and fatigue will all play a part and success is never guaranteed. The mental toughness as well as the swim fitness needed to swim in 13-14 degrees water for any length of time in just a swimsuit  is immense.  And don’t forget the jellyfish. 

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. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.