Tuesday 28th.

It's been postponed again, it now looks like Thursday!!!

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Well, with all the poor weather we've had recently our swim has been postoponed until Tuesday 28th at 10:00 - wish us luck. I created a blog which is easier for me to update than these pages so, for more frequent updates, please go to the link at the bottom of the page, but........ please read this text first ;-) Thanks, Colin.

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Update on 12th August - I am very sorry to have to update this page to say that one of the people I mention below as having contracted cancer during the last year died last week. I am shocked and deeply saddened by this news. My thoughts go out to his wife and family.

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Firstly, thank you for coming to this page. I usually try and speak to people personally to tell them all about what I'm doing (bore them into submission!!) but as I see a lot fewer people nowadays I've put together these pages in the hope that you'll still be as generous as usual - even without me pestering you directly.

So, what is it this year? It's the biggest challenge I've ever attempted that's what! I'm swimming the Channel from England to France as part of a four man team with Tony, Adam, Chris and Colin (me!) 'Team TACC'.

Just so you can appreciate how much effort has gone into this (hopefully so you will give generously....) here's a bit of background.

From December 06 to March 07 I was in the gym or swimming with Northampton swimming club 3 hours a day, six days a week.

Shock, horror, I stopped drinking (well, I now allow myself a couple of Guinnesses on a Sunday night).

In March - fitter than I'd been for 20 years - I ramped down the gym to concentrate on my swimming, attending the swimming club three nights a week and swimming on my own three or four mornings a week and doing a two to three hour session at least once a weekend.

I still have the three weekday evening and the morning sessions in the pool but on the 5th May I started travelling to Dover every weekend where we swim in the harbour for hours on end (on both Saturday and Sunday), so as to acclimatise to the cold (that's why I need the Guinness when I get home!). It was 11.5C (approx 52F) when we first started and now, at the end of July, is just over 16C (62F). I've had hypothermia to various degrees a number of times, I've been dragged out of the water, I've crawled out, been helped out (many times) and all so you - my generous reader - can have an opportunity to help an extremely good cause......

I usually raise money for the Parkinson's Disease Society and this year is no exception; Parkinson's is often overlooked by people but it makes life hell for many and, for those who don't know, my dad died indirectly from Parkinson's in 2005.

However, during the last year, four of my friends have been diagnosed with cancer of different types; three of them live close by in Silverstone, the other is my coach at Northampton swimming club. Many of you will know that I also had, and recovered from (obviously!), testicular cancer in 1978/9 so I felt it appropriate this year to give people the option of donating to Cancer Research as well as the PDS.

I wanted to split the money 50/50 between the two charities but it isn't possible on this web site so, if you would prefer to donate to the Parkinsons Disease Society, please pledge here on this page and if you'd prefer to give to Cancer Research UK, follow this link and it will take you to the correct page -

http://www.justgiving.com/colinbycroft

Of course you could always give some here and some there as well........ ;-)

If anybody is interested in seeing a couple of photos where I'm really struggling, i.e. crawling out of the water (I know what you're like!) or would like to hear a bit more about what I'm doing, how, and why, please do get in touch, my email address is colinb333@hotmail.com, it would be great to hear from you.

The blog I mentioned earlier is at:- 

http://englandtofrancethelongway.blogspot.com/

The next couple of paragraphs are canned blurb, before you get there I'd just like to say 'thank you'.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Parkinson's Disease Society will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

So please sponsor me now!

Many thanks for your support.