JOB DONE!

Seven hours and 320 lengths, one fifteen minute chocolate and banana break, pulling my eleven year old into the pool in his school uniform to get him and his best mate back for splashing me at the end of length 317, lots of tears of emotion, grins of achievement and some seriously aching muscles and joints. 

I had more love and support than I could have dreamed possible today.  Friends and family, Jenny, it was so wonderful to have you all there, telling me to get on with it even though I wanted to stop and chat.  Thank you, every one of you xx

The painful last 50 lengths I would like to dedicate to all those people who loved Beverley so very much and will continue to do so.

Those who have sponsored me to do this swim and believed I could go the distance, quite simply, thank you.

*****************************************************************************************

PLEASE DON'T STOP THE DONATIONS COMING!  THE WEB PAGE WILL BE OPEN UNTIL MARCH '09 AND THE GOAL HAS ALWAYS BEEN 10K!

*****************************************************************************************

11th Dec - Today I feel like I have been run over, it is almost impossible to get in and out of the car and none of my body parts seem to be able to move in the same way.  My skin stings and my head hurts.  Thank you all for your kindnesses, last night's muscle soak, today's neck-rub, for the bin man who felt sorry for me and pulled my bin out.  This is getting silly, back to bed ...

12th Dec - My body now just needs to sleep.  The pains are now just aches and the realisation that it's done and I never need go near another swimming pool is dawning on me.  The sponsorship has slowed but not stopped and articles are appearing in local newspapers which is really positive and encouraging. 

*****************************************************************************************

Beverley Papastylianou was a bright and bubbly lady, who was fit and healthy and always on the go.  She was a personal fitness trainer for twenty years, inspiring people to look after their own bodies, always full of energy, optimism and so much love for her family and friends.

Beverley was 38 when symptoms suddenly appeared.   No-one could bear to imagine that two years later she would lose her battle for life.  When the cancer struck her heart and spine she fought through three major operations and learned to walk again.  But she soon found herself battling further outbreaks of the disease and more hospital stays and treatments.

She was just 40 when she died this year, leaving her family and friends devastated.

I count myself very lucky to have been one of her friends and have decided to make this swim, a gesture to remember Beverley's bravery and determination. 

I will endeavour to swim five miles (320 lengths) to raise money for the MacMillan nurses who helped Beverley so much.  This is likely to be exhausting and may take five or even six hours to complete.  As you may know, I have multiple sclerosis so the training has taken a few months and needed much sleep (and a few chocolate bars!)

The David Lloyd Club in Bushey have kindly offered to make a lane soley for my use on the day and to warm the water up by a degree too.

At the end of my swim I will return home and curl up for a well-earned rest with Lula, Beverley's cat, who now lives with me.

Please donate anything you can, in the hope that MacMillan Nurses will continue their wonderful care.