New Year's day Swim on January 1, 2010

On New Year's Day I will be plunging again into the English Channel (average temperature 10 Celsius) for a New Years day swim to raise money for AbilityNet.  Having done this once before on New Years day 2009 could possibly have been considered madness. Doing it a second time could fairly be thought of as insanity... apart from it being for such a worthy cause.

AbilityNet are a UK charity that helps disabled adults and children to use computers and the internet by adapting and adjusting their technology.  This can dramatically improve the quality of life for people who would otherwise be unable to communicate with others, or contribute in the workplace - things that we often take for granted.  In my work as a Trustee of AbilityNet I am constantly amazed, and humbled, by the incredible work they do and the difference they make to peoples lives.

In my first plunge I raised £1,950 which was used to to help a number of disabled people including: A three year old boy with Spinal Muscular Atrophy who through assessment and provision of adapted technology can now play colouring and letter games and access the CBeebies web site to learn and develop his potential alongside his classmates, and a 65 year old gentleman with cateracts and macular degeneration who was assisted in the use of a laptop to enable him to continue communicating with friends and family.  Any contribution you make will enable AbilityNet to assess the needs, and provide adaptive IT solutions, for other people with disability or physical impairment who would not be able to afford this themselves.

As I hate the cold this is a real challenge for me, especially as I now know just how cold and unpleasant the water is in January! So your sponsorship for this very worthy cause will be greatly appreciated.

Kind regards
Jane

More information on the work of AbilityNet can be found on www.abilitynet.org.uk

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Abilitynet gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.