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In August 2 teams of 6 swimmers will be swimming the channel to raise funds for Diabetes UK.  Diabetes UK is one of the leading funders of diabetes research in the UK, and the Channel is a large expanse of very cold water, 21 miles at it's narrowest point, that separates us from the rest of Europe.  The distance swum by each swimmer will depend on the prevailing conditions on the day.

Update on 19th August:  Our window opened on Sunday but the weather is awful!  Im hoping we get some positive news in the next day or two and my fingers are crossed!

At the moment I'm training about 5 times a week, in Risborough Springs Leisure Centre,  and in cold water.  In a typical session I will cover between 3 and 6km, swimming between one and two hours.  Im swimming in Dover Harbour regularly now and really enjoying it; the cold is invigorating (sort of!).  I had been enjoying lake training but seem to have developed an allergy to the vegetation currently in bloom so may give that a miss for a while!  I also run in a gym near my work to add a bit of variety to my routine.

The teams are made up a mixture of people, with and without diabetes, who share the common aims of wanting to do something fun and exciting whilst raising money for a worthy cause.  To learn more about our team you can visit our website, on www.dukswim.co.uk. (I'm not sure if I'm on there yet though!)

I have always loved swimming and competed since an early age and hearing about the DUK channel relay I was instantly keen to take part.  I found out I have type 1 diabetes last year and now depend on multiple daily injections to survive and am constantly pricking my fingers to test my blood sugar;  diabetes doesn't stop me doing (or eating) anything, but at the same time a cure would make life a little easier for me, and would save the sight, limbs, kidneys, vascular systems and lives of many many others.  Please support my participation in this fantastic event for this most worthy cause; your donation could impact the quality of so many lives.  If you would like to find out more about what Diabetes UK does, and events that you might like to participate in, please take a look at the website www.diabetes.org.uk.

Thankyou, Liz x