Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

.....On a very chilly November evening last year, my friend Angie and I shared a bottle of red wine and decided that it would be a fantastic idea to take part in the Monster Swim in Loch Ness, to raise vital funds for my charity Skin4life at The Christie Hospital. Despite both of us being fairly strong swimmers, neither of us had any experience of open water swimming. Undeterred and wet suits purchased we are both training hard and looking forward to the challenge in August. Not even the freezing loch temperatures or the threat of coming face to face with the legendary monster can dampen our spirits!

Skin4Life was set up by my wife Judith and I along with our friends in 2009, to say a huge Thank you to The Christie Hospital for saving my life in 2007. Diagnosed with terminal malignant melanoma in 2006 and no treatments available for me, I was sent to the trials clinic at The Christie under the care of Dr Paul Lorigan. After a course of standard chemotherepy, which had little effect, I was selected to try a trial drug. Despite being seriously ill due to the effects of the treatment, the drug had a miraculous effect and I have been living cancer free for 6 years. I still have regular check ups at the hospital and my passion to raise much needed funds for research is still as strong as ever. Every penny donated makes a huge difference to the melanoma team and their constant work to improve treatments.

Skin4Life have currently raised over £40,0000.

A huge Thank you to Angie for training so hard and encouraging me to take part in this challenge, I wouldn't have done it without her. I look forward (fingers crossed!) to sharing a wee dram with her during the evening of August 17th to toast our success....and maybe plan our next adventure.