So last month on the spur of the moment I signed myself up to the challenge of swimming 5km across the Solent from Southsea to Ryde (mainland to the Isle of Wight, for all non islanders reading this). I then investigated actually how long 5km was and really thought about how long this might take me to do and started to get a little scared. 

I really do like swimming but am not a natural speedy swimmer so am hoping I can contend with strong tides and cold water, without hitting any large container ships and not drinking too much sea water during  the crossing!

MND is a progressive illness with no cure. It attacks the nerves, brain and spinal cord eventually leading to weakness and wasting within the body. As a result this affects how a person is able to walk, talk, eat, sleep, breath and maintain a good quality of life.

If by completing this swim, more money can be raised which goes into research, learning and awareness then I'll feel like I've set out to do what I intended to do. Also no one ever challenged me to the ice bucket challenge (much to my desire to WANT to do it) so I think this choice of cold water activity more than makes up for it!!!

...I appreciate that there is always someone or a cause to sponsor but I wouldn't be doing this one if I didn't think it was a real challenge for me to achieve.  If you can just spare just a few pennies then that would be a great motivator as a I begin some serious (?!) outdoor sea swim training over the next couple of months!

Thanks a lot xxx

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