Thank you for visiting my fundraising page.  To those who have donated so much money to Tommy's The Baby Charity a very big thank you. Your kindness and generosity is just stunning.  I cannot thank you enough.  My original £1,000 target has been well passed, but even though my swimming has now ended I am still looking at ways to raise money in Emilia's memory for Tommy's.  If you think anyone else may be prepared to sponsor me please pass on the weblink.

I am writing today (21st December 2007) to register the kindness and generosity of my dear friends and colleagues who have raised a further £50 for Tommy's through the sale of mistletoe.  We're edging ever closer to £2,000 before Gift Aid.  A very big thankyou to everyone.

A really special thank you to Andy and Lin who collected £250 on my behalf - you are stars! 

My last entry - 30TH AUGUST 2007 - I HAVE FINALLY FINISHED ............... JE SUIS EN FRANCE A CAP GRIS NEZ ........... AND GETTING THE FERRY BACK!

Well after a week of lack of motivation I finally got back in the pool this lunchtime and finished off the last 50 lengths or 1.25km.  It has taken me about 7 weeks worth of swimming (I had a 2 week breather whilst on holiday) and 22 visits to Dawlish Leisure Centre (yes an average 58 lengths per visit).  I finished as I started - wheezing up the pool doing ropey breast-stroke.  The only difference is I can do 50 lengths in under 30 minutes now.  It is a very strange feeling having finally finished as nobody at the pool, bar the receptionists, has known what I have been doing.  I actually feel slightly deflated as there was nobody there to cheer me home - such is life!  I think if nothing else I have proven that you can do any task you set yourself if you believe it possible.  It really is all mind over matter! 

For those who are new to this page my original fundraising entry goes like this - On Thursday 31st May 2007 my world changed.  My sister's much loved and longed for full term baby girl died unexpectedly.  Emilia Louise Parker was 7lb 1oz, beautiful in every way, but stillborn. 

In an attempt to put some right into a horrible situation an appeal fund in Emilia's memory has been set up in support of Tommy's, the baby charity, which undertakes reseach in the hope of ending the heartache caused by premature birth, miscarriage and stillbirth. 

I now wish to support Tommy's and further my niece's memory through an attempt to swim the equivalent of the Channel (32 km or 1280 lengths of a standard swimming pool) in approximately 12 weeks.  This webpage has been set up to encourage charitable donations, preferably with Giftaid, in support of Tommy's. 

May I take this opportunity to say thankyou for caring enough to log on to my fundraising page and hope that you feel able to make a donation - no matter how small, every pound counts particularly if you feel able to Giftaid it to Tommy's.

With many thanks and in anticipation of big things.

Sarah

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to donate: Tommy's, the baby charity will receive your money electronically and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in Gift Aid will be added to your donation at no cost to you.

Please donate generously.

Many thanks for your support.