Hello Everyone,

On the 13th Sept 08 I will be joining 2,199 others (including Olympic Champions) in swimming 1 mile in Lake Windermere. This will be my first time swimming in open water and a lot colder than I'm used to!

Although this will be quite a challenge for me, it is nothing compared to the enormous task the North West Air Ambulance take on every year in raising the funds needed to run such an incredible service.

I meet a lot of people in the job I do, but none have been quite as awe inspiring as the lads who work with 'Katie' the yellow helicopter. I've even watched these guys in action attending road accidents I've been photographing for the paper. They have the respect of every other service there and are total professionals in the most critical of situations. They see life and death every day, and are often the difference between the two. They receive no funding at all from the government and rely solely on public donations.

Please give generously!

Joe

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: North West Air Ambulance 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.

So please sponsor me now!