Our warmest Hello,

We are team Mission-SlimPossible 2016! A group of 8 friends that decided to take on a new challenge. We signed up to swim the distance of the English Channel - 22 miles, over 12 weeks and raise money for Aspire.

We started our challenge mid September and as a team we have already swam past our 22 mile goal :) and are still going strong!

Every eight hours, someone in the UK is paralysed by a Spinal Cord Injury. Aspire is a national charity that provides practical help to people who have been paralysed by Spinal Cord Injury, to live independently.

It can happen to anyone, at any time and no one is prepared for how it will change their life. Aspire exists because there is currently no cure.

Some insight into some of the causes of Spinal Cord Injury; Auto, car and motorcycle accidents, falls down stairs, and falls from horse riding.

A spinal cord injury changes everything! Many spinally injured people are no longer able to return to their homes, continue their jobs or travel as they did before their injury.

" Hi, I am Sharmee, I was interested in doing the Aspire Channel Swim challenge both for the personal incentive of getting back in a pool and getting back to exercise while also doing something worthwhile. Having seen the effects of life changing spinal injuries, I have also been inspired by the courage and resilience of some of those affected, determined not to let their injuries stop them. Aspire does amazing work and I am proud to support them, "

 " Hi, I am Nima, Signing up to this challenge is one way of me personally saying "Thank-You" to Aspire and the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital for treating a influential, inspiring, unique, kind & caring Kingsbury High School (KHS) Sixth Form careers advisor and business teacher. Ms Williams sustained a spinal cord injury following a fall down the stairs and sadly passed away a year or so later.

Ms Williams influenced and guided me to find a career pathway that suited my skills and personality - Physiotherapy. I thank her sincerely and remember her often! Physiotherapy has been one of my most fulfilling jobs, it has opened so many doors for me! I cherish many fond memories of patients that I have helped rehabilitate including those with neurological injuries. My passion, pleasure and pride has always been the; NHS, to give back and help make a difference in people's and families lives. Physiotherapy enabled me to educate patients on the importance of exercise and self management to assist living independent and fulfilled lives.

I am sure many staff and students of #KingsburyHighSchool #KingsburyHighSchoolAlumniandOldSchoolScholar also have fond memories of Ms Williams. In her honour & remembrance this is an opportunity to donate to a very worthy cause!

Since I have started the challenge, I love being back in the water, it's relaxing, healing, fun and gives me focus! It's re-ignited my love and passion for rehabilitation! Every time I swim at Aspire, I meet someone new and they share a small bit about their personal story that inspires me and shows hope, determination, strength, against all odds, do not give in! I am proud to be raising money for Aspire to support their vision"

"Hi, I am Altea! I am a mother of two young children who are learning to swim at Aspire.

I trained and practised as a Occupational Therapist (OT) in France. The principal of OT and my personal aspiration is founded on assessing accessibility and providing specialist advice on equipment to facilitate rehabilitation, empower autonomy to attain individual independence.

Aspire has touched my every principal, I take pleasure in observing people with disability having the opportunity to work in environment that caters for their needs, to be able to access swimming pools via ramps and hoists to enjoy pleasurable activities and also support their rehab.

It has been year's since I have swam in a pool, but when my friends approached me for the challenge, I gladly accepted. I hope that my participation will help raise awareness how spinal cord injury can
significantly impact a persons/families life. In addition, the funds you help us raise will help make a difference to the quality of their life and help Aspire achieve it's vision."

Our aim is to help make a real difference to the lives of people who have been paralysed by Spinal Cord Injury.

You may also;
- know a person/families affected by Spinal Cord Injury or
- has benefited from the amazing work Aspire do or
- touched by our teams fundraising story
Here is an opportunity to show your support and appreciation by donating whatever amount you can.

The funds you help us raise make a huge difference to enable Aspire achieve their vision. Aspire provide practical help to hundreds of spinally injured people every year. Through their accessible housing, independent living advice, assistive technology, grants, they enable people to get on with their everyday lives and carry out tasks that we take for granted.

Please feel free to share our fundraising page, to reach as many people as possible!

Best wishes and many thanks in advance,

Altea, Kajal, Khushma, Nima, Sharika, Sharmee, Sheetal and Vishal

#Aspire #charity #spinalcordinjury #car #motorbike #accident #falls #down #stairs #horse #donate #sponsor #fundraise #KingsbuyHighSchool