Some people may call it brave or simply slightly odd but swimming the has always been a goal of mine. Having run the Flora London Marathon this year and limped the last three miles or so I have come to realise that my days as an athlete are unfortunately over and seeing as though I have covered the distance on land, I have decided to try to cover the distance in water.

There are also two main reasons for wanting to complete this swim, the charities I have decided to raise money for The Princess Alice Hospice in and Lionheart.

The Princess Alice Hospice, is a charity that provides palliative care and is funded completely by donations. I know from speaking with friends and their families who have stayed at the Hospice that the care their relatives received both in being comfortable and pain free in their last days and also the care that the families receive following their passing is invaluable. 2011 will also be the 25^th anniversary of the Hospice and as such it seems a perfect year to undertake my Channel Challenge.

As a member of the RICS I have also decided to raise money for Lionheart a charity that helps members of the RICS and their families experiencing difficulties such as ill-health or disability, accident, unemployment, bereavement, separation of families, difficulties in retirement or struggling with debt.

Training will involve swimming in harbour, swimming Lakes Windermere and amongst others as well as putting in the lengths at the pool. My goggles, hat, swimsuit are ready and I am good to go! Apparently I will also have to dodge massive jelly fish, french fisherman and the odd ferry or two which will be interesting to say the least!

I am hoping to raise £5,000 to be split evenly between these two charities both of which I am sure you will agree are excellent causes.

The two pages for sponsorship will be

http://www.justgiving.com/ChannelSwim2011PAH

or

http://www.justgiving.com/ChannelSwim2011LH

Thank you so much for your support - I will keep you posted!!!

Hannah

xx