As many of you will know, my mother lost her long and courageous battle against cancer on 30 April 2010. The Isabel Hospice provided much needed and unwavering support during the course of her illness. As a result of this assistance my family were able to follow my mother’s wishes and care for her at home during the final few weeks of her life.
In May of last year, Luke Adams, Erden Ali, John Collier, Stuart Clipper, Richard Rixson, Stephen Rock and Jason Trim agreed to join me in an attempt to swim the Channel in order to raise money for the Isabel Hospice. In early June we completed a two hour qualifying swim in Dover Harbour and can all confirm how bitterly cold it is, particularly when wearing only a pair of Speedos and a swimming hat! Sadly the Channel swimming rules prohibit the wearing of wetsuits! At around 8 a.m. on the 31st August we set off from Dover and after a gruelling 17 and a half hours we finally stood upon French soil at approximately 2 a.m on the 1st September.
The Isabel Hospice is an independent body based in Hertfordshire that provides palliative care for those suffering from cancer and other terminal illnesses. In addition, vital support is provided for the families of the patients, all of which is free of charge. In order to continue to operate the Hospice had to raise over £4 million in 2010, £2.7 million of which was obtained through fundraising and donations. Please visit www.isabelhospice.org.uk for further information.
Thank you for taking the time to visit this site and please give generously to what I hope you will agree is a very important and worthwhile cause.
Chris
