My story

THE SWIM

So it's set to start at 9:30 tomorrow (Tuesday) morning from Shakespeare Beach, and if you want to follow all the action please feel free to watch any (or all) of these news feeds:

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My name is James Howard, and I'm swimming the English Channel in September this year in aid of a local charity that is helping my son to walk.


I'm attempting this 'ultimate open water swim' to raise money for a charity based near Wallingford called the Footsteps Foundation, which helps disabled children learn to walk. They work with children from all over the country and using specialist techniques have helped countless children realise a dream by taking their first steps.


Early in 2009 my second son was born with cortical dysplasia (a particularly nasty form of cerebral palsy) and was given almost no chance of ever walking or even crawling during his lifetime. My family went through hell for that first year, and we pretty much gave up hope that Aiden would ever be able to move independently. But for nearly a year now, Footsteps have been working relentlessly to help him and already the results are nothing short of miraculous.


As a huge thank you for all their hard work I'm going to attempt this dangerous 40km swim across the world's busiest shipping lanes, and if you were able to help in any way it would be wonderful.


To find out more about my challenge pleae visit our website at www.swiminasuit.com - and a huge thank you goes out to everyone who has helped so far.


James & Lucy

My gallery 7

My Teams

My company

My charity

Footsteps Foundation

Footsteps Foundation

Charity Registration No. 1123440

Footsteps Foundation improves the quality of life for children and young adults with neuro-motor disorders. We provide them with access to a unique programme of intensive physiotherapy at the Footsteps Centre, enabling them to reach their full potential whilst gaining confidence and independence.

Donations 78

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Donation by Laura Oliver on 27/09/11

Hope it went well- what an exciting challenge for a good cause. xx

Donation by Kishani Ranatunga on 27/09/11

Thinking of you and the arm ache, but all for a great cause. xx

Donation by nicola sammons on 27/09/11

£20.00

+ £5.00 Gift Aid

The best of luck in your challenge for a fabulous charity from the Anderson-Diaper family (friends of Catherine, Steve & Bertie)

Donation by Anna Dailey on 26/09/11

£20.00

+ £5.00 Gift Aid

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Wishing you the best of luck for your challenge. What a wonderful cause. The Calder family (Friends of Catherine & Steve Barrington).

Donation by Katie Calder on 26/09/11

Good luck james x

Donation by alison barham on 25/09/11

£10.00

+ £2.50 Gift Aid

Good Luck James, what a great thing you are doing. Well done. Love the (other) Howard's xx

Donation by Juliette Howard on 16/09/11

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Lucy and James, I think what you are doing is so inspiring. Big hugs to all of you x

Donation by Rebecca Watson on 15/09/11

Good luck! If your swimming's as good as your wedding photography, it'll be a breeze! Best wishes from the Converse All Star/Red Morris Minor pair!

Donation by Katharine & Nicholas Bird on 15/09/11

£10.00

+ £2.50 Gift Aid

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Hope it goes well - you're a crazy man! Best of luck, James, Sarah and Jack

Donation by James White on 15/09/11

£20.00

+ £5.00 Gift Aid

Good luck with this huge challenge and with the fundraising!

Donation by Nicola Eldridge on 15/09/11

£20.00

We're so proud of you and wish you all the best for your swim - don't forget your wetsuit! Lots of love, The Whitakers 1, 2 & 3, xxx

Donation by Catherine Whitaker on 15/09/11

£40.00

+ £10.00 Gift Aid

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We've never met but good look with the swim, The cause is very worthy, hope you raise loads of money! Don't be tempted to swim the return leg :-)

Donation by Chris Daborn (Sophos) on 14/09/11

£20.00

+ £5.00 Gift Aid

I don't know you but it's an amazing thing you are doing. Good luck!

Donation by Peter Pichler on 14/09/11

I don't believe we've met James but what an amazing thing to do. Best of luck for the swim!

Donation by Arthur Robinson on 14/09/11

£20.00

+ £5.00 Gift Aid

You must be mad, but good luck. Let's hope it's a westerly wind on Friday!

Donation by A friend of Stephen Starkie, at TTP on 14/09/11

£20.00

+ £5.00 Gift Aid

This is a wonderful thing you're doing; all the very best :o) Steph (Knowland) and John (Clinkard) See you on the 8th Dec!

Donation by Stephanie Knowland on 12/09/11

£100.00

+ £25.00 Gift Aid

Wishing you loads of luck and every best wish from Steph , Ian and all the team at Globec UK Ltd.

Donation by Stephanie Knowland on 12/09/11

£200.00

Donation by Trevor Page on 08/09/11

£10.00

+ £2.50 Gift Aid

Good Luck!

Donation by lee Simpson on 08/09/11

£30.00

Hi James, Good luck with the Swim, rather you than me. Best regards Nick and all at Esl.

Donation by Nick Laudrum on 08/09/11

£150.00

+ £37.50 Gift Aid

Well done q. Lovely photo of Aiden. m

Donation by Mette Bradfield on 07/09/11

£25.00

+ £6.25 Gift Aid

The very best of luck james !

Donation by David Slater on 07/09/11

£20.00

Donation by Anonymous on 07/09/11

£100.00

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Wishing you the best of luck for this amazing challenge. It has been a pleasure teaching Aiden at Water Babies and watching him progress so well.

Donation by Sarah Sunthareswaran on 07/09/11

£100.00

+ £25.00 Gift Aid

Donation summary

  • * Online donations£3,154.00
  • Offline donations£2,944.00
  • Text donations£5.00
  • Total raised£6,103.00
  • Gift Aid£630.71

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