Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

So what is this Big Swim all about?
Basically I will be swimming in the sea in a different place in Great Britain in every month during 2010 to raise funds for Magpie Dance. I started the challenge in the hail and snow on New Years Day at Broadstairs in Kent and finishing on New Year's Eve where I will be dodging the ferries at Dover. The second swim was at Brighton and I was joined by Dan Keel, a local journalist. Read his Dan Dares column and watch the funny video here!

You can read my blog to keep up to date with the Big Swim and see photos. Magpie Dance is a charity based in Bromley. They are an inclusive dance company that does great work with people with learning disabilities. To find out more about Magpie Dance go to www.magpiedance.org.uk 

I have already surpassed my first two targets and am now hoping to raise £3,000 which will fund three members of Magpie's Youth Group for a year! 

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.

So please dig deep and donate now. Don't think that because I have surpassed my target there is no need to sponsor me - Magpie need to raise £250K per year to operate and in the current climate this is getting harder than ever.

Russell Cartwright