UPDATE : Read my blog about the event here - but I DID IT! It's fantastic that I've beaten my target, and THANK YOU to everyone that has supported me so far and left lovely messages - but it would be great to raise more :) 

 

On Saturday 30th April, at 9.30am I'll start swimming a mile, on the hour, every hour, for 24 hours, finishing Sunday 1st May at 9.30am in aid of Help For Heroes.

The event is called 2Swim4Life, billed as "not a paddle in the pool, a hard, challenging and needs cold water acclimatisation", last time the event took place, only 7 people finished. Eek.

The quicker I swim the mile, the longer I'll have to rest / recover / eat bananas / power nap / get emotional.. in training I'm currently finishing in around 25mins, but aiming to keep under 30mins, all front crawl.

The Guildford Lido isn't too cold, but they are heating it to 24c (Hoping this doesn't involve life guards pouring boiling water from kettles and swishing it around every now and again), it's also 50metres long, so we'll be swimming 32 lengths to complete each mile.

It would be great if you could sponsor me. Go on.. all the money raised goes to providing better facilities for wounded British servicemen and women. Read more about the work Help For Heroes does here.

If you live in the Guildford area and want to be a "buddy" - ie, come down, pass me a towel, count lengths, shout at me to get back in the water when I've had enough, please let me know - I'm not expecting anyone to do the 24 hours, but several hours would be great. You'll also be invited to the after show / drowing sorrows / swim party on Sunday night.

I'm hoping to update my progress on the day via social media - follow me on Twitter @RitchAmes here

ps. Any runners reading this that have done, or are doing the London Marathon.. I'll be swimming to the equivalent of the Blackfrairs Underpass.