Story
<p>Thanks for taking the time to learn about my unusual charity challenge!</p>
<p><strong>What on earth are you up to now?</strong></p>
<p>Since the mere thought of a marathon is enough to make me feel queasy, I have decided on a more unusual challenge...</p>
<p>Do you remember how Ariel in <em>The Little Mermaid</em> wants to be human? Well, I want to be a mermaid...</p>
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><strong>...and in October 2011, I'll attempt to dive to 100 ft (approximately the height of a ten-storey building) on one breath!</strong></span></p>
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<p><strong><span style="color: #000080;">If you'd like to follow my progress, I'll be blogging about my training for the challenge, and the cause at: </span></strong></p>
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<p><span style="color: #000000;"><a href="http://100ftfreedivechallenge.blogspot.com/">http://100ftfreedivechallenge.blogspot.com/</a> </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Expect diary posts, photographs, video footage and much more!</span></p>
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<p><strong>But Grace, you're <span style="text-decoration: underline;">not</span> a mermaid! You'll die!</strong></p>
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<p>Making this challenge possible is the amazing Sam Kirby of Saltfree Divers: <a href="http://saltfreedivers.com">http://saltfreedivers.com</a>. Sam is an AIDA International Instructor Trainer and a former UK Team Captain so she's the perfect person to train me for my challenge. Saltfree have kindly agreed to lend me all the kit I'll need, including my mermaid's tail (monofin)!</p>
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<p><strong>What's all this insanity in aid of then?</strong></p>
<p>As many of you will know, my Mum lives with Multiple Sclerosis, as does my Auntie. Both are unbelievably positive in the face of chronic pain, and the uncertain future of their health. I would like to support them, and other people like them, by raising money for the MS Society. </p>
<p>If you know anything about MS, the MS Society provides some useful information here: <span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"><a href="http://www.mssociety.org.uk/about_ms/what_is_ms/index.html">http://www.mssociety.org.uk/about_ms/what_is_ms/index.html</a></span></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">How will my money help?</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">The MS Society does many incredible things. The aspects of their work I'm particularly keen to raise money for are: 1) research into treatments and a cure for MS; and 2) the provision of </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">MS Specialist Nurses. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">MS Specialist Nurses have an in-depth understanding of all aspects of the condition. They work collaboratively with the patient and adopt a co-ordinated approach to care; empowering patients to gain back control of their lives. </span></p>
<p>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.</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #000080;">I'd be very grateful if you could consider making a donation; no donation is too large or too small!</span></strong></p>