Thank you for visiting my fundraising page.

Fantastic news!! I have been forwarded the information that my senior school - Bruton School for Girls has donated £150 from the 3rd & 4th form Social, and the PSA ball in the summer raised approximately £2000, which will all be donated to CLIC Sargent! This is fantastic news. I am so pleased that as a bi-product of the swim, and the amount of awareness it has had, this money is being given to the charity. Thank you to Mum, Mrs Hilary Clark and Mr Burrough, and everyone else that donated!

An up-date regarding my challenge:

Hayley (my support team) and I arrived at Crissy Fields Beach in the Presidio Park of San Francisco at 05.30 (EST) on Sunday 12th July. The conditions for the day were grey, and the whole bay was shrouded in fog, which made for an eerie start.

After registering, changing and getting marked with my number (428), we were loaded onto trams with wheels (instead of on tracks), and taken to Pier 41 to get a brief and then to board our Blue & Gold Ferry. The brief explained our reference points along the swim, and these were dependent on your speed as a swimmer. The majority of people were told to swim straight towards a set of apartment buildings once we were dropped off at the south-eastern corner of Alcatraz. Imagine that you are standing in the middle of a clock (facing 1200) and you are told to swim towards 0900, and to always swim in that direction, despite your instinct telling you to go towards 0200. This is the main reason for swimmers getting into trouble; by attempting to swim directly to the finishing point. The currents are strong enough to pull you across the bay to 0200, even when you are swimming to 0900! Crazy.

We all shivered a lot whilst waiting for the gates to open to let us onto the ferry, particularly as we were all stood on concrete with no shoes on! I boarded towards the back, and headed upstairs to get a seat. It took about 25 minutes to get to Alcatraz, and the buzz amongst everyone was electric. The typical bubbly American spirits helped me turn my nerves and worries about not feeling particularly well or confident into determination. Everyone was cheering and clapping when we stopped, and a countdown ensued, followed by more clapping. The organisers had to get 600 people off the boat in 8 minutes, which worried me somewhat.

When it came to disembarking, I stood back enough to let the crazy enthusiasts get there guiness world records and the like, but not far enough back to be shark bait! In three's we were lined up and had to jump out and away from the boat in different directions - just like paratrooping penguins! I stepped across the timer mat, and waited for the signal, but like a girl I attempted to launch, then hesitated, then wobbled, and eventually found some Dutch courage and launched off to the left side.

Initially I was pleasantly surprised it wasn't as cold as I had imagined (60F/15.5C) and had trained in very similar temperatures when lake and sea swimming. The waves were another matter, battering me from all angles at approximately 5ft high. Sometimes my arms didn't even leave the water where the surges coming at me were too high, so I essentially dragged my arms through. I found alternating into breast stroke helped me at times, so that I could duck under, when I had the fortune to see one coming at me. I attempted singing under water at times, and then told myself not too as it might attract sea creatures (I think there was a little bit of Tina Turner in there, mixed with some Tom Jones 'Sex Bomb' - how ironic).

People at times, seemed to be stopping in little groups for a chat and bobbing around (not the guiness world record psychos), they were absorbing the surroundings and catching their breath. As I did not have a swimming partner, I just tried plodding along. About three quarters of the way through the swim I started to really struggle, and began throwing up as a result of the salt water. I was feeling pain around my neck, where the salt water had got between my wetsuit collar and skin, and discovered after finishing the swim, a fairly sizeable graze. I threw up four times, weakening me and making me disheartened and disorientated.

Fortunately there were kayakers around, spurring me on and letting me rest for a moment by holding the end of the kayak, just so I could be a bit more still whilst being sick! They made sure I was heading the right way too, and one had a flask of tea and though he would be a real funny man, knowing I was English and chucking my guts up, that he would offer me some tea. He retracted his offer when he saw my deathly stare (I probably wasn't looking too hot either).

Towards the finishing line I heard lots of commotion, and saw lots of fishing boats with radars, and the kayakers were back around. I immediately stuck my head out for some idea of what was going on, and the guy with the tea was back, so I barked at him "WHAT IS IT?" and he said "oh it's just a sealion", to which I replied "ooh how cute - where is it" - he then returned with my earlier tone "just keep swimming". Orders taken I plundered on through. The closer to the shore, actually brought smaller waves, and I eventually dragged myself up onto shore.

Hayley had told me she would be on the left of the crowd, and I was desperately looking for my pink banner. I only spotted her once I was on the beach, and made my way over to her. I had a little breather and a chat to Hayley (limited words on my part) and then was reminded I had to go up the beach and cross the finish line to get my time. I crossed over the mat and was adorned with my medal. Very cool. I think there was some tears welling up in there - but I think the idea of more salt water sorted that out straight away.

With Hayleys help trying to save some of my dignity, I changed in the middle of the field area where everyone was (lack of showers and changing area very much annoyed me - I wanted a masseuse, a doctor and a reflexologist immediately). After failing to preserve my modesty, I ambled to the time board to discover I had done it in 1 hour and 6 minutes. To say I couldn't care less about my time is an understatement, I was just relieved it was over. We immediately hailed a cab straight back to our luxurious hotel, where I was a little sick, bathed and then slept for a good few hours, I woke up to some basic but very tasty cheese sarnies - it could have been steak for all I cared as it tasted so good.

THANK YOU SO MUCH TO EVERYONE THAT HAS SUPPORTED ME AND THE CHARITY! CLIC Sargent is such a fantastic organisation, that endeavours to ease the journey and experiences that people in childhood and adolescence have with cancer. Neither dominant nor distant, they provide the ultimate guidance, support and shoulder to cry or lean on. I will never forget the difference they definitely made to my treatment, and ultimately success.

I am astounded at the generosity and would urge anyone that has not donated, or those that would like to give a little more, to donate on this website.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: CLIC Sargent gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.