This July I will be taking part in the #TeamAllianz Path to Paris cross-channel swim relay team, where along with 6 other Allianz colleagues, I will swim to France. The relay starts in Dover and involves swimming in a strict rotation for an hour each until we get there. The date of the swim is weather and tide dependent, but our target window is 12^th – 19^th July and there is a chance that some of those days will require some of the team to swim in the dark.

Training has included technique, speed, endurance and cold water acclimatisation sessions. My coldest swim this winter was in waters registering 4.2 degrees. I have also managed to find some jellyfish along the way so that I wouldn’t experience the delight of being stung for the first time in the middle of the channel.

The original plan involved a selection process to whittle down the hopefuls to a team of 8 with two reserves. There are now 7 of us left in the process, which means that my place in the team is confirmed. If the team reduces further, it will mean more swimming for the rest of us.

I fully appreciate that there are easier and quicker ways to get to France, I also know that due to a lack of available gendarmes to stamp my passport I have to get straight back on the boat after completing the swim.

This event is part of Allianz’s Path to Paris fundraising relay, celebrating the worldwide partnership with the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and is raising funds for Barnardo’s

It would be fantastic if you would sponsor me in this endeavour, any support would be most appreciated.