Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page, I would be really grateful if you could support me in my challenge of swimming 1 mile in the Great Swim.  I was supposed to be doing Great North Swim but this summer's awful weather meant my day in Lake Windermere was cancelled so I've signed up for the Great Scottish Swim instead on 25 August at Strathclyde Country Park - hopefully it will have stopped raining by then!!!

Having abseiled from the Tyne Bridge and completing 2 Great North Runs I though it was time for a new challenge in this year when I celebrate the 10th anniversary of my 40th birthday.

I have chosen to do the Great North Swim because although I am a decent enough swimmer and can swim a mile comfortably in the pool I have never done any open water swimming - that to me is the real challenge.

I am also doing this to support Age UK Northumberland.  Most of you know that I work there but that is not my reason for doing it.  I am doing it because thanks to the charity and one of the Day Centres that it runs my Dad is able to more able cope with the trials that living with Alzheimers brings.  Two days per week Dad is collected from home and taken to the Day Centre where participates in the different activities available, chats to other people his own age and often brings home a wide aray of prizes that he has won in the quiz.  All this helps to stimulate his brain and he is certainly much easier to live with on the days he has been at Day Centre than the days when he is just at home.

Age UK Northumberland, like all local Age UKs in the country, is there for everyone over the age of 50, their families, carers and those who support them.  Age is something that affects us all, either as we grow old ourselves or as we care for elderly parents and other relatives.  So please dig deep and help me to help my dad and others like him.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.