I’ve taken the slightly mad decision to swim a pretty long way (just under 5 kilometres) through the freezing cold, murky, and treacherously rough waters of the English Channel on 19th July, all in the name of a very good cause.

Aspire is a UK based charity supporting victims of spinal injuries by providing them with the means to life their lives as independently as possible after very tragic accidents.

I know this is a cause close to many of your hearts, particularly those of you whom I went to school with who know Henry Fraser’s story. Many of you may also know that almost 2 years ago I came very close to landing myself in a similar situation, after an accident that left me with a broken back.

My recovery in a spinal injuries hospital really bought home to me how important it is for us to help those struggling to life the active and independent lives we take for granted every single day.

So, now that I’m back to full fighting fitness I have decided it's time take action.

Upon my return to the UK (I have disappeared off to Italy for the year for anyone that didn’t know), I will be venturing down to Portsmouth, from where I will swim non-stop all the way to Ryde in the Isle of Wight. Aspire are providing me with a trusty navigator-in-canoe, who will make sure I swim in the right direction and don’t get run over by any ferries or eaten by any wild sea creatures.

I would be SO grateful for even the smallest of donations.

It can be done in just a few seconds (less time than it takes the kettle to boil for your next cuppa!), and your kindness would make a huge difference to a paralysed persons life. (…And perhaps increase my motivation for undertaking a gruelling training regime!)

Thank you for reading this, and I hope you can spare a few pounds for this great cause!

Love,

Holly