This September 16th, I'll be attempting a 10km open water swim in the river Dart in Devon. Until last year, I’d not done any more than recreational swimming. Since deciding to do it last year, I’ve swum a total of 90km in training and I thought this was a lot until I realised I’ll be swimming around 10% of my 12-month total in a one go!

As well as the personal challenge, I thought it would also be a great opportunity to raise some money for a great cause, that I really think will make a big difference.

The Cause: reflecting on how lucky I feel to have had a loving childhood and have an exciting future ahead, I’d decided I’d like to raise some money for people who have had a less fortunate start than myself. A good friend of mine, Darren Howie, has done an exceptional job with others helping to set up a mentoring project called Inside Out. Its purpose is to provide relational, creative and intensive support for people overcoming offending behaviour in the Derby area. This includes educational workshops, work placement opportunities, enrichment workshops drawing on the arts, and a 12 month one to one mentoring/life coaching relationship.

Following 19 years of Drug and Alcohol abuse, Darren is living proof that you can never write a person off. He’s now a Priest in the Church of England and one of the most genuine and inspirational people I know. This only came about as a result of being lucky enough to be placed with someone who cares when he left prison. He’s shown me that all people are capable of achieving incredible things, irrespective of their current situation. However, turning a life around is never easy and without the support of projects such as Inside-Out, it’s a whole lot harder.

I don’t live in Derby, and I’m sure there are similar projects closer to home, but I know that with Darren’s involvement, every penny raised will be spent in the wisest possible way and so please donate generously, safe in the knowledge that your money will be invested wisely, and will make a big difference to someone’s life and in the wider society.

Plus, the more we raise, the less chance I have to chicken out of the swim!

Many thanks for all your support – please give generously and bask in the subsequent warmth of knowing you’ve done a great thing 😊