Thanks for visiting my fundraising page for The Aspire Channel Swim.

I don't know where to start! This seemed such a good idea when I first saw the leaflet. How hard could it be? (it even said this on the leaflet) - 22 miles in 12 weeks, which in my pool is 1416 lengths.

I asked my dear friend Sue if she would do this with me and with a bit of persuading ( I'll talk more of this later) she agreed and so we began. I have to say that it was a bit like the hare and the tortoise and Sue got off to brilliant start while I sort of limped into it with 30 lengths, which just about killed me!

Still things improved until I was making the bed one Sunday and I managed to pull my back ( don't worry I've not changed it since!!!!) due to being in such a weak state after all my training!  I then could not swim for almost 2 weeks and almost gave up.

Meanwhile, Sue was in Turkey swimming every day, with a gin and tonic waiting for her on completion of her lengths and soon made great headway as well as a fantastic tan. I headed back to the pool only managing a miserly 25 lengths and realised that I had to go for this big style so with my new lease of life I have now completed 516 lengths and can now swim 50 at a time. However I must improve this in order to finish or I will have to spend an entire week in the pool at the end of November. Sue has already completed 1168 lengths so is well on track.

If you go onto Sue's page, you will see that I persuaded her by pointing out that:
 we could improve our fitness, which indeed we have done
Lose a few kilos - not one single ounce has come off and I think I am going to resemble a shot putter by the time I am through!
Chat up the handsome pool attendants - my lips are sealed
Rekindle the hidden Divas - too exhausted most of the time and for the rest I am too busy eating as I have developed a huge appetite and I smell of chlorine!
 We would have the chance to raise some money for the charity Aspire, who support people with spinal cord injuries.

So this is where you come in. I would really appreciate any donations, even sympathy ones as I have never done anything like this before and I know now I will never be quite the same again, because this has taught me that when facing any challenge it all begins will a small step or in this case a length!

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

If you prefer to donate cash or cheques please email me or contact me to pledge your support and I will add you to the sponsor form.

So please sponsor me now!

16.11.08

835 lengths completed
582 to go!

Well things are not looking good! I felt I was doing really well, even finding pools to swim in while I have been working away but the last trip has resulted in me losing my voice and having a bad throat and chest infection.

I have really got to go some to complete this now so please donate to encourage me as I really want to do this! it doesn't matter how little.

Sue has now completed (WELL DONE) and is now swimming back to get me - well what are friends for!

07.12.08

I've done it!! I am writing this from France, where I am sipping champagne and having a massage with a rather gorgeous Frenchman!

Ok, back to reality, but there was a bottle of Moet waiting for me when I got home - a lovely suprize!

I finished off on Sunday with 60 lengths and have spent most of the week in the water; the ends of my fingers no longer uncrinkle and my hair........I'm thinking of asking for donations for intensive conditioning treatments or it might have to be chopped!!!! The most I have swum in one go is 70 lengths, which was on wednesday, so I am really proud of that.

The pool staff, who have been great, have asked if we are both going to continue and I think that is a resounding yes as I feel so much better and it really is very meditative, especially when I won't have to count lengths anymore!

Sue has swum an amazing 37 miles and has inspired all of the crowd that she swims with in the morning, enouraging  them to go for it and swim further as well as improving their technique !

My thanks go to you Sue, (I could not have done this without your encouragement ) and to all the people who have donated - it really means a lot.

If you haven't donated, then please do as it really is a good cause and believe me, this was a tough challenge. It doesn't matter how little - it is the thought x