UPDATE

Due to high winds and sea swells no channel swim boats were able to depart during my swim window. (See more details in the update section below). I am investigating options to join another swim window in the next few years, however in the mean time I will be swimmming the distance of the channel in Portsmouth Leisure on the 3rd of October. Although this swim is not in the channel itself, this is a way of honouring all your amazing donations over the past two years. I am so grateful for all the wonderful experiences, challenges and support this swim has brought into my life! I want to say a massive THANK YOU to everyone who has donated. Over the Wall will use this money to make so many children happy!

ABOUT THE CHARITY

In the UK around 10% of young people are living with a serious chronic illness. These children face physical symptoms and challenges that affect their lives every day. They often suffer long hospital stays which are not only physically and emotionally tough but also isolate young people from their friends. They miss out on many normal activities and often suffer with low confidence. These experiences and can lead to challenges with mental health challenges and a lack of hope for the future. 

Over The Wall is a charity that helps children, young people and their families reach beyond the boundaries of serious illness to discover a world of mischief, magic and new possibilities. They do this by providing free of charge residential activity camps in medically safe environments for children with serious illnesses - empowering children to be children.



I have been a part of Over The Wall for a number of years now and it is without a double one of the most positive things I have ever been a part of. Here is some reasons I love Over The Wall and want to do my best to support their work: 

• They provide medical equipment and staff to allow a safe environment for kids to be kids. 

• They do everything in their power to make all activates adaptable so everyone can be included regardless of medical challenges.

• They create an absolute bubble of positivity for campers which they can carry with them through tough times. 

• They connect children and families who are experiencing similar challenges to make life long friends and support. 

• They help families create positive memories.

• They bring out the best silliness and joy in everyone involved.

Check out more about their camps and the work they do on their website

Here's what some campers families said: 

'My son Aiden went for the first time this year to the health challenge camp as was only diagnosed last year and he had the most amazing time he said it was so much fun really recommend it as it makes the kids feel like kids for a week while going through horrible illnesses and it also gives the parents a break and a bit of a rest as well'


'Over the wall changed my daughters life when she went away to camp as a child with a life threatening illness the work the volunteers do is priceless the activities she took part in were fantastic ... the hard work this amazing charity do is so valuable to families ..'


'My daughter attended the South Health Challenge camp 2017, and truly had the best time ever. I have enjoyed hearing about all of the wonderful experiences she has gained. It is such a relief to find an organisation that caters for our youngsters, so that they can fully participate in camp, whilst us parents know they are being so well looked after. Love, love, love this charity. Thank you and all of the fabulous volunteers, so much.''