Hi All

I aim to be the first orang utan to swim the length of Lake Windermere (10.5 miles) in 2008. I know it seems a long way off, but this is my commitment to raising money for a wonderful charity - St John's hospice in Wirral.

I lost my Dad in May 2007 after he had struggled for several years to fight a rare brain tumour. This is my way of saying thank you to the incredible staff that made his last months as dignified and as comfortable as they were.

There will be many training swims along the way to this ultimate goal, but please please please pledge some money and help other families receive the support and care from an institution that is, against all financial adversity, fulfilling its mission:

To comfort always.

If as little as 10% of Dad's determination has passed on to me, I think I can make it but your support will certainly spur me on. I will be keeing a regular blog here:

http://chimpfin.blogspot.com/

Please take a look at the tribute to my Dad.