In September 2022, I will be facing the huge challenge of swimming the English channel as part of a relay team. I will be supporting Aspire, a charity that provides practical help to people who have been paralysed by Spinal Cord Injury.

For a swim to be officially recognised, you are only permitted to use goggles, one cap, a nose clip and ear plugs. Oh, and a swimsuit.

Even if you get the perfect day, the swim coast to coast is 21 miles as the bird flies from Dover to Calais. But I'm not a bird. Due to currents, winds and other factors, we will swim significantly more in water temperatures ranging from 14 to 18C, but which can plummet to 6C. Now you know why I have been swimming 3 straight winters at my local Lido. It takes time. A lot of time so a big THANK YOU to my family.

We will start in the wee hours, swimming in the pitch black of night, usually between 1-3 am. Some days the weather is great and other days you have to deal with big swells and powerful winds. All while swimming across the busiest shipping lane in the world. Those I have spoken to all say pretty much the same thing "On a good day the swim it's hard and on a bad day it's really hard."

There is one other challenge too. I am afraid of deep water. There... I've said it. But I love swimming. I always have and, despite my dad's first attempt at giving me a swim lesson by throwing me off the dock to see if I would float, I always will. It's also important to note that he later bought a swim vest at the request (ahem) of my mother (see cover photo).

I can't tell you how excited I am to take on this challenge and raising as much as I can for Aspire. I've set a target for £3000 but the sky is the limit with your help.

I would be so very grateful if you could donate anything you can. It really doesn’t matter how much as it will all go towards the great work Aspire do in enabling people from injury to independence.

https://www.aspire.org.uk/pages/category/how-we-help 

Please also share my page in any way to you think might help.

Thank you so so much.. or should I say Merci Beaucoup!!