On 22 May 2014, I set off from the former prison on Alcatraz island to swim across the San Francisco Bay, raising awareness of the importance of Prisoners Education Trust's work and fundraising for the courses, learning materials and books they provide in prisons across the UK.

I did this at a time when access to books is becoming increasingly restricted. From my work many years ago with young offenders in south London I know how valuable education is. Knowing that I’m helping Prisoners Education Trust helped get me across.

The extra challenge was that I came off my motorbike in February and broke my ankle. But with the blessing of my consultant, a few pins, physiotherapy, careful training and lots of determination I'd been judged fit to swim - 1.5 miles, 13c water temperature, strong currents of up to 6 knots. Enough said. Great views though!  Having had a second operation (to remove pins) just 4 weeks before the swim, the doctor said I mustn't get the wound wet.  So until I got into the cold waters of San Francisco Bay I had been doing training by doing weights in the gym and sitting in cold baths but had not been in the water for a month. I was afraid maybe I'd forgotten how to swim! 

The fact that I was swimming for PET really strengthened my determination to do it.  Prisoners Education Trust (PET) supports prisoners to engage in rehabilitation through learning. They do this by providing distance learning courses, advice and support in subjects and levels not available in prisons. PET also carries out research, informed by prisoner learners, to improve prison education policies and practice. Their work is proven by the Ministry of Justiceto reduce reoffending.

Every penny donated will be spent wisely and you will be supporting Prisoners Education Trust and contributing to a proven method of rehabilitation and reduction in reoffending - and that has to be good news for individual learners, prisons and society.

I believe Just Giving to be simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe – they promise never to sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity. I have met all the costs of my solo swim myself, including the cost of the guide and boat pilot, so everything you give goes to PET.

Knowing that many people had supported me already and hoping that many more would do so, pushed me closer to the San Francisco shore.  I completed the swim shortly after 8am on 22 May.