On the 16th June this year I completed my first open water swim at Stanwick, I consider myself to be a good swimmer, not a fast swimmer and no real style in my swimming technique but have good stamina. For my first swim I could choose 200 metres or 450 metres (I can easily do 450 I thought to myself!) The water was 26.7 degrees, with dragonflies and damselflies skating and flying on the water ahead of me, I set off on my very first adventure.I found myself turning at the 200-meter swim circuit turning. I already felt this open water swimming was nothing like swimming in a swimming pool. It took all I had to do the 200-metre swim. One of the marshals in a canoe come over to me and ask if I was ok, I said yes. But he could see I was struggling and stayed with me until I got back to the shore. My legs were like jelly, and I was out of breath. But I felt amazing. At that point I wasn’t 100% sure if I would ever do it again.  On posting my swim on Facebook, I started to feel I could do this again. The comments came flying in and it really boosted my confidence to try it again. I found a lovely group of Milton Keynes swimmers called The Milton Keynes Bluetits Chill Swimmers, (they are part of a worldwide Social Enterprise called The Bluetits Chill Swimmers).The following week on the 24th June,  I went for a lesson with a lovely lady called Lisa and I haven’t looked back, I can now swim 750 metres easily and have swum 1500 metres.On the 7th October, I entered The Bluetits Chill Swimmers Arctic Flappers Nippy Dippers swimming day at Box End Bedford, I entered the 400 meter swim. I came in about 5th from last, and had a fantastic day. I am going to challenge myself to do 25 cold water swims over the winter months from the 1st November 2023 to the end of March 2024. These swims will take place in Lakes, Rivers, Tarns and Outdoor Lidos. Some will be in the rain, some will be in freezing cold conditions. The coldest I have swum so far is 14 degrees (I do not wear a Wetsuit!). I would appreciate your support as I am going to push myself right out of my comfort zone and challenge myself to raise money for this worthwhile cause. Thank you for reading.    

CHUMS hopes to provide mental health and emotional wellbeing support to as many children and young people across Bedfordshire as we can. Friends of CHUMS currently funds 5 services which include the Bedfordshire Suicide Bereavement Service, Babyloss Service and Recreational Therapeutic Service. Without support from fundraisers and donors CHUMS would not be able to provide support to the children, young people and families who otherwise may not receive help when they need it most.