Later this week I, alongside a handful of other intrepid swimmers, will be participating in an attempt to swim across the English Channel in an effort to raise funds and awareness for the Motor Industry charity - BEN.

Clad only in budgie smugglers, our little adventure is likely to start at around 2.30am on Thursday morning and is should last for approximately 14-15 hours or until we reach the French shoreline ideally as close to Calais as possible.

The total distance we expect to cover is 21 miles, although this may become more depending upon the impact that tide has upon the swimmer.

I have been reliably informed that the water temperature is currently 17-18 degrees, and that the weather is improving throughout the week. Compared to the 2 metre swell evident in the Channel this morning, anything would be an improvement.

Why am I doing this?  The challenge is this years BEN CEO challenge, which was taken up by Jeremy Hicks from JLR UK. Jeremy then set about putting together a team to tackle his chosen challenge - swimming the Channel, and before I knew anything about it, my dear wife Clare has put my name forward...aside from this, Jeremy has also very kindly proposed to do this swim in the memory of my mum, who many of you will know I lost only 3 months ago. 

Please help me reach my target to raise £5,000 for this great charity and I promise to never get back in the water again!