Update - on Sunday Sept 26th I finally did my 1 mile swim, in Salford Quays. It took me just over an hour and a quarter, and although it was hard going, I had great support all the way round, and in my head, from everyone. Thanks!

I've been keeping a blog about the whole thing, the training, trials and tribulations, so if you want to know more, visit http://dawnsdip.blogspot.com/ 

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On September 5th this year, I'm taking part in the Great North Swim (which is held over the whole weekend of 4th and 5th). I know what you're thinking - is this the same, sofa loving, exercise shunning Dawn I know and (possibly) love? Well, yes it is. Just after Christmas, whilst veging out and watching TV after too much turkey and too much drink, I decided it's high time I got off the sofa and did something. For years I've sponsored other people doing amazing and heroic stunts and stints (you may even be one of them, in which case, it's payback time!) but I'd never really given a thought to doing something myself. Well all that has changed.

Now, you may be thinking that swimming is a fairly easy option - but consider this; it will be September, I have to swim 1 mile (that's the equivalent of 64 lengths in a 25m pool), I have to swim outside, where it's cold, and possibly raining, and I have to swim it in the deep, open, murky water of Lake Windermere. It will take me about an hour, after which time I will be cold, aching and dying for a mug of soup.

And why am I doing this? Well, to get some money out of you, of course! I'd like to take some of your hard earned cash, put it with my hard earned chilblains, and give it all to a good cause. Chosing a charity hasn't been easy - after all,  there are so many, all doing very valuable work. However, I'd like to give your money to a charity you may not often think of - The Alzheimer's Society.

Of all the things that could happen, losing my mind is the one that frightens me most. My mind is such a big part of who I am, and what I do. If you work with me, you'll have probably heard me remark that I'm paid for my brains not my beauty, and it would be true. However, there are currently 700,000 people in the UK with dementia. That's a massive number, but it's estimated that by the time I'm 60, there will be over 1 million. I'm not saying I will definitely be one of them, but since 2/3 of people with dementia are women, and the likelihood of developing dementia double every 5 years, then you can see why it concerns me. Dementia isn't restricted to the elderly either - 15,000 young people also have the condition.

The Alzheimer's Society work with and for these people, providing advice and support, and doing research into care, causes and treatments. They help not only those with any form of dementia, but also their families and friends. The amount I'm trying to raise is £3,600, which could pay for training for an advisor working on Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Helpline, ensuring that people affected by dementia receive the advice and support they need.

My mother-in-law has vascular dementia, and we are coming to terms with her inevitable mental decline. The once vibrant, witty, outgoing and confident woman I knew has gone. She didn't say goodbye, she just slowly wandered off, leaving behind a frail old lady, frightened of the future, unable to cope with the present and hazy about the past. Although I see her every week, I miss her, I miss who she was and I miss the good friend that I had.

So that's why I'm doing this. For her, for Bill, her husband, who looks after her every day, even though he's 82 and suffering with Parkinsons (he's bright as a button mind, with a spring in his step and a twinkle in his eye!) And I'm doing it for those million other people who have, or will develop, dementia, and for their families and friends, who will miss them before they're even gone.

So let me prise your credit card from your wallet or purse, and get you to donate some money. Big amounts will be lovely (I'm not being bashful about this - I'm doing it to get your cash!) but small amounts will be equally welcome and all will be gratefully received. But no matter how much you give, please don't forget to tick the gift-aid box - it means that the Alzheimer's Society will get an extra 28p for every £1 you give (and better still, it's off the taxman!).

Just £5 could pay for one person to attend a half an hour session at a monthly Dementia Café, providing information and support for people with dementia and their carers in an informal setting.

£10 could enable a person with dementia and/or their carer/family supporter to have one-to-one dedicated time with an experienced support worker, helping them to access the support services and specific advice they need. Support workers will also help them understand the nature of the condition, coping strategies for both the carer and person with dementia and advice on how to get legal and benefits support. 

If you haven't donated this way before, let me assure you that 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!