Update 30th August!!! I am a channel swimmer, WOO HOOO!!! Webbs Wonders (Nick, Andy, Mike, El and Ede) left Samphire Hoe at 10.08 on 29th August, and arrived in France 12 hours and 52 minutes later. It was hard work, amazing and an unforgettable experience. The team were all incredible. Thanks to everyone for all the donations and kind messages,which spurred me on, especially after spending 3 hours being very sick before my first swim.

For those of you who are checking on my progress, but haven't had chance to donate, your sponsorship would be just fantastic, to achieve my target of £2000, which would enable two people to be cared at at the Breast Cancer Haven.  I worked my socks off, and am elated, exhausted and overwhelmed. I am so excited, and want to jump around - We swam to France!!!!! - and, I did it in a bikini.....We'll update the blog with more pictures and stories. For now, I'm off to lie down... xxxx

In the last week of August. I will be attempting to swim the English Channel as part of a relay team ‘Webbs Wonders!’ (Nick, Ellie, Ede, Mike and Andy) http://webbswonders.blogspot.com/2008/07/route-to-france.html The anticipated swim time (tides dependant) will be 17 hours.  Yes 17 hours across what has been described as the biggest turd pool on earth....

It's going to be cold, there will be jellyfish, potential sewage slicks, seaweed, aggressive sea gulls, and fearsome sea beasties....The rules state that only goggles, a swimming hat, ear plugs, and only one (!) swimming costume may be worn, I’ve been warned about  chafing!!

Here come some facts......The Channel is 19 nautical miles or 35 kilometres at its narrowest point (Shakespeare Beach, Dover to Cap Gris Nez, France). The Tides are really strong and change direction every 6 hours, therefore we will be having to swim very hard, and following an ‘S-Bend’ to cut across the tides, making the distance up to 45 miles. (eek) There are over 600 commercial ship movements and a 100 ferry crossings between Dover and Calais every day. It's busy.

It is likely that I will be setting off in the early hours of the morning to swim alone in the dark swell, with a light stick attached to my swimming hat. It will be physically gruelling, and pretty scary!

Now, I’m sure that many of you will be thinking, Why would Tash want to do this?

1) New Years resolution was to 'Swim to Bestival', but with only 12 places available, a serendipitous meeting in the pub gave me this stretch target instead!

2) Tone up my 'Bingo Wings' (doing nicely thanks!!)

3) Have something decent to talk about on training courses in the 'one thing you don't know about me' section!

4) A desire to mark the end of a year of huge change with a positive achievement.

5)  I've got a secret penchant for men in speedos (not really!!)

6) Its been a few years since I've made the local rag, can't wait for my starring role in the Birmingham Evening Mail!

Humour aside, the main motivation, and what has had me training in duck poo and frog spawn over the last couple of months is;

7) To raise a significant amount of money for a charity that helps people affected by breast cancer, and to make my Mum - Gail, proud.

Your donation will be a huge source of motivation so I am asking for your support, to help the Breast Cancer Haven, AND GET ME MOTORING ACROSS THE CHANNEL!!

Thank you for your generosity and kindness.

Tash xx
 

You can donate in different currencies, all securely via this site. As suggested by Breast Cancer Haven, 10% of the donation will go towards the cost of the pilot and boat- which is over £2000. We need that man to get us back to England!

Now, laisse aller en France!!

Off line donations- Thanks v v much!! (especially to all the doctors, nurses and HCP's out there!)

Pam and Chloe £10, Jimmy T £20, Auntie Lyn £20, Uncle Clive £20, James Wildish £5, Tall army mate of Petes £5, Louise my lovely beauty therapist £10,  Hannah £5 Sue Hesketh £5,  Sue Fagg £5,  Margaret Jones £5, Jackie Parker £5, Sandra Albinson £5, Karen Totty £5, Sandra £1.20, Anne Proctor £5, Delia Byrns £5, Phil Byrom £5, Nasreen Akhtar £5, Jane Burden £10, David Grimmett £10, Faye Latimer £10, Dr Gurpreet Gill £25, £3 Sarah Rogers, £5 Jane Meakin, £10 Sue Clark, Liz Spooner £25