My story

A few local press snippets from Paisley & Lichfield:

http://www.thisislichfield.co.uk/news/Charity-swim-boost-Help-Heroesarticle-709405-details/article.html

 

http://www.paisleydailyexpress.co.uk/lifestyle/lifestyle-news/2009/02/25/phil-does-swimmingly-for-injured-war-heroes-war-heroes-87085-23001448/

PLEASE SEE BOTTOM OF PAGE FOR PROGRESS UPDATES

Thank you for visiting my fundraising page. I am aiming to swim a total of 50 miles in the pool to raise funds for a wonderful charity, Help for Heroes. And, I'll be completing this sponsored event in memory of Jamie Hutton and David Ireland.

MARINE JAMIE HUTTON: On 15th July 2008 Jamie tragically lost his life in an accident at Lulworth Ranges in Dorset as he was preparing to return to Afghanistan for his second tour. We got to know this great guy when he lived a few doors away from us in Naples shortly before joining The Corps. We will always remember his love of life and the permanent smile on his face. 

PRIVATE DAVID IRELAND: My Great Uncle enlisted in 1916 days after his 18th birthday, joining the 3rd Royal Highlanders, The Black Watch. He was sent to France as a dispatch cyclist, relaying messages from trench to trench under heavy fire, and was shot through the shoulder from a German biplane. He rejoined the war in April 1917 at the Battle of Arras and was shot in the knee. Although his physical wounds healed with time, he never recovered mentally from his experiences in the trenches and spent 77 years in a psychiatric hospital until his death in 2001 at the age of 103.

In the weeks since the Christmas holiday I have worked up from being pretty much out of breath after 10 measly lengths to managing to plod along steadily for 3 miles (192 lengths of a 25 metre pool) on a couple of consecutive days. So, I started the 50 mile challenge on 26 January and hope to achieve 2-3 miles at each session in the pool.

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

Thank you for your support.

Phil

PROGRESS UPDATES

11 February: 50 mile target reached today after 15 sessions in the pool, averaging 213 lengths/3.3 miles per day. The very generous responses have exceeded my expectations, and widening knowledge of this fundraising event through an upcoming article in the Paisley Daily Express will hopefully help to raise even more for H4H. Thank you.

6 February: Had to beat a hasty retreat from Elderslie pool this morning after only 1 mile; this Clearance Diver was no match for the 20 pensioners taking over the  shallow end for their weekly aerobics class! Must remember to check the timetable. Anyway, I re-started in Johnstone and ended up doing a total of 4 miles today. I've now covered 38 miles and am looking to finish the full 50 sometime next week. Big fundraising days on 4/5 February - thank you.

3 February: 3 miles on each of 1st and 2nd Feb in Erskine pool, and 4 this morning in Elderslie. Have now passed the half-way mark with 27.5 miles covered. Great to see donations still coming in - thank you. Please ignore the target sum, which was just a stab in the dark at what I thought might be achievable. And, please do pass the details on to any relatives, friends or colleagues you think might be interested in making a contribution.

31 January: Longest swim yet on Friday with a 5 mile session over 3 hours in Johnstone pool. Rest day today (Saturday), and have thus far notched up 17.5 miles. Am over the moon with the responses to date. And, as I obviously cannot send the anonymous donor a personal email, I'll say it here - thank you so much!

29 January : Only got to pool at Johnstone at 8.10 pm last night and managed 2.5 miles, but caught up again this morning with a 4 mile session. Have been given free access to Erskine and Johnstone swimming pools by The Club @ Renfrewshre Leisure, for which many thanks.

27 January: 6 miles completed in first 2 days; early days but on track.            

My gallery 1

My Teams

My company

My charity

Help for Heroes

Help for Heroes

Charity Registration No. 1120920

Help for Heroes supports our wounded. Help for Heroes provides practical direct support to those servicemen and women wounded in the line of duty in the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Donations 98

Well done - I have always admired you! ;0)

Donation by Guiver the Diver on 27/05/09

£25.00

+ £7.05 Gift Aid

Many congratulations - swimming the channel must be next!

Donation by David Cooke on 06/05/09

£20.00

+ £5.64 Gift Aid

Phil - Great job! give everyone across the pond my best. Keano.

Donation by Christopher Keane on 30/04/09

£50.00

Well done - what a fantastic effort,went swimming recently and now we really appreciate how far 50 miles is in a pool! Apologies for our slow admin!

Donation by Ian Rosie Sophie William & Katie Orr on 29/03/09

£20.00

+ £5.64 Gift Aid

Well Done Phil a great achievement

Donation by The Campbells on 23/03/09

£10.00

+ £2.82 Gift Aid

Congrats on exceeding your expectations for such a worthy cause. When's the next one?

Donation by Phil Jenkin on 08/03/09

£20.00

+ £5.64 Gift Aid

My admiration for you has increased further, know Claire won't mind! Well done for such a worthwhile cause.

Donation by Anne, Winston and Nathan on 02/03/09

£20.00

+ £5.64 Gift Aid

An important cause, your fitness puts me to shame if you can mamage this, good luck

Donation by Neil Stewart on 25/02/09

£25.00

Fantastic work Phil! What a lucky girl Claire is having a 'V' man who can breathe under water!!

Donation by Carole & David Salisbury on 24/02/09

£40.00

+ £11.28 Gift Aid

Well Done Phil a great achievement for a wonderful charity.

Donation by Richard Cox on 19/02/09

£75.00

+ £21.15 Gift Aid

Best of luck - surely it would have been easier under the water!

Donation by John Bainbridge on 17/02/09

£15.00

+ £4.23 Gift Aid

Well done Phil - apparently you look like a pro-swimmer in your gear (Rebecca Adlington!)

Donation by Paul Burke on 16/02/09

£20.00

+ £5.64 Gift Aid

All the best ;-)

Donation by David McCusker on 16/02/09

£20.00

+ £5.64 Gift Aid

Many congratulations on your initiative

Donation by Alistair Barrie on 16/02/09

£20.00

+ £5.64 Gift Aid

Well done, many congrats; 5 bells passed and received!

Donation by John Beavis on 14/02/09

£20.00

+ £5.64 Gift Aid

Phil - fantastic-wears me out just thinking of the effort! Well done indeed.

Donation by Adrian Cassar on 14/02/09

£30.00

+ £8.46 Gift Aid

Donation by Bernie on 14/02/09

£50.00

+ £14.10 Gift Aid

After all that time in the pool you must look like a prune Phil, or Benjamin Button (at the beginning of the film that is)

Donation by Bill and Andrea on 13/02/09

£25.00

+ £7.05 Gift Aid

Well done Phil

Donation by Tony Rose on 13/02/09

£20.00

+ £5.64 Gift Aid

Well done!

Donation by Tim Trounson on 13/02/09

£10.00

+ £2.82 Gift Aid

What an outstanding way of managing to get out of doing the housework. 'Sorry Claire, can't clean the bathroom, I'm "swimming" again today. Well done

Donation by Tony, Fi , Anna & Matt on 13/02/09

£50.00

+ £14.10 Gift Aid

Strong effort, Phil, and undoubted thanks from all who benefit now and in the future. Have circulated your e-mail on the Brussels circuit to NATO/EU.

Donation by Simon Elliman on 12/02/09

£40.00

+ £11.28 Gift Aid

Well done Phil.

Donation by Don Crosbie on 12/02/09

£20.00

+ £5.64 Gift Aid

Phil, congrats - superb effort !

Donation by Eugene on 12/02/09

£50.00

+ £14.10 Gift Aid

Sir, a truly superb and herculean effort for a very worthy cause. Have monitored your progress with complete admiration.

Donation by Peter Laughton on 12/02/09

£10.00

+ £2.82 Gift Aid

Donation summary

  • * Online donations$4,886.06
  • Offline donations$0.00
  • Text donations$0.00
  • Total raised$4,886.06
  • Gift Aid$1,302.65

* Charities pay a small fee for our service. Find out how much it is and what we do for it.