Raised: 184%
Target: £2,500.00
Raised so far: £4,605.74
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My story

 

I'm thrilled to say that I managed the swim in 76 minutes, so all the planning and training was worthwhile.  It was an amazing experience, with some real highs and lows.  The text below (written before the event) gives a bit more information about it, and why I undertook it.

I'd also like to use this page to give particular thanks to NW Brown Financial Services, who became my primary sponsor during the fundraising, and to the Rotary Clubs of Cambridge and Rutherford Cambridge for their collective support.

The Hellespont is the crossroads from Europe to Asia, and arguably the most iconic swim in the world.  For one day a year, the Turkish Government closes it to shipping for one and a half hours, and hundreds take part in a race across a distance of 4.5 km, following in the footsteps of Leander and Byron.

This year I have secured a place, and hope to raise as much money as possible to support water projects in the developing world.  For me, the swim is no easy undertaking, as I'll be doing breaststroke and it will be a real challenge to complete it in time (and if you don't, I believe the Turkish Lifeguards pick you out of the water!). 

All of us take water totally for granted - but imagine waking up thirsty in the night with nothing to drink, or trudging miles in the hot sun to collect a bucket of muddy water that might make you ill rather than better.  Millions of people have to do this every day, many of them young children, and Christian Aid water projects can change their lives, giving them improved health and opening up life chances by freeing their time for education.

I'm taking on this challenge in memory of my father, a kind and generous man who always went the extra mile to help others.  I hope he would have approved!

Do please consider sponsoring me. I promise that even if I don't finish in the time I wll have done my very best, and will be encouraged to keep going by thinking of everyone who has shown such support.

SINCE STARTING THIS PAGE I HAVE HAD SOME BRILLIANT NEWS - CHRISTIAN AID HAS AN ARRANGEMENT THAT IF I REACH THE TARGET EVERY £1 RAISED FOR THIS WATER PROJECT WILL BE MATCHED BY £3 FROM THE EU!  SO YOUR DONATIONS WILL WORK MUCH HARDER!

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Christian Aid 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.

Do you have to swim back too? Donation by David Martin 14/08/08  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Go for it Jenny I am sure it will be a great experience! Donation by Michael Wiseman 13/08/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Best of luck Jenny! Donation by Aileen Muir 13/08/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Savour it Jenny, it will be amazing. Donation by Iain Johnston 12/08/08  

£100.00

Excellent - good luck! Donation by Martin Rigby 12/08/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Wishing you good luck and success! Well done. Donation by Liz Stevenson 12/08/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Very worthwhile (and I support Wateraid.org) Donation by TobyC 12/08/08  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

Well done for even contemplating it. Donation by Mary 11/08/08  

£10.00

Good luck, Jenny! I'll be thinking of you! Donation by Caitriona Finn 06/08/08  

£25.00

Well done Byron for swimming on 3rd May 1810. Congratulations to Jenny for imagination and a worthy project in 2008. Donation by Tony & Gill Barker 05/08/08  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Good Luck and enjoy Donation by Walter Herriot 05/08/08  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Jenny, brilliant stuff. go for it. Donation by John Wroe 05/08/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Amidst all that you do, I admire you for doing this too. Keep up your spirits, Jenny. Donation by Johny 05/08/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

There HAVE to be easier ways, but you're not the person to take them! Good luck. Donation by Jackie Latham 04/08/08  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Amazing thing to do! With love & prayers Donation by Richard & Liz Inwood 04/08/08  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Go Jenny! Donation by Ellis 04/08/08  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Happy splashing! Donation by John & Brenda 04/08/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Wow! Good luck Jenny - I'm sure your Father would be very proud of you... lots of love go with you Donation by Gwen 02/08/08  

£20.00

with best wishes and deep respect Donation by christina van melzen 02/08/08  

£25.00

God luck Donation by Janet Gilbraith 02/08/08  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Good Luck Jenny !! we will be thinking of you Donation by Ann and Tom 01/08/08  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

Very best wishes - very impressive to make such an effort. I hope you make your target amount and t Donation by Pam Hinds 01/08/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

It's probably deeper, wider (and cleaner )than the Mersey. Donation by John Devine 01/08/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Do they have sharks there? Hope not - we want you back! Donation by James Langstaff 31/07/08  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Hey ppl, can't ya dig a little deeper? Jenny is SWIMMING 4.5ks in under 1.5 hours! That's a big deal, not a lunch in town!! Respect to you Jenny! Donation by SJ 31/07/08  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Hilary and I wish you all the best and keep up the good work. Donation by Sean Finlay 31/07/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Your dad would be proud of you! Donation by Ronnie 31/07/08  

£15.00

Rather you than me - good for you Donation by Anne Brown 31/07/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Go Jenny go! Donation by Chris Warner 31/07/08  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

make a splash for Cambridge! Donation by Lidija 29/07/08  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid
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* Total raised online: £2,190.00
  Offline donations: £2,415.74
  Gift Aid plus supplement: £516.15

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