About the challenge

As Head of Marketing and Communications globally for Earthwatch, I’ve decided to embark on a once in a lifetime challenge. This summer, I’m going to attempt to swim the . The challenge is both professional and personal: to increase awareness of the effects of climate change and pollution on the world’s oceans, raise vital funds for our research programme and to push myself to the limits of physical endurance. For fun.

Often dubbed ‘the Everest of open water swimming’, swimming the Channel is widely regarded as one of the most extreme physical challenges in the world. The 21-mile swim involves battling with the cold, tides and tankers – the Channel is one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes. Training involves a year’s worth of swimming and cross training, culminating in a compulsory 6-hour sea swim before the attempt can be made. The swim itself can take anything up to 20 hours - if you make it. Less than 60 people attempt the crossing every year and more than half fail.

The blog

As part of the challenge I’ll be writing a regular blog for the environmental website Treehugger. You can also follow my blog at http://channelblogger.wordpress.com

You can also follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/channelblogger

How you can help…

Please help me to raise vital funds to support our research in climate change and oceans by making a donation to the campaign. I will also be fundraising to support Earthwatch’s youth programme – the future guardians of our planet.

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. Thank you!