Having inherited the mad gene from my mother, i have decided to undertake a cross channel swim this coming June. I am part of a 4 person (3 guys and me!)relay team, and we will each in turn be swimming for an hour and be on the boat for 3, relaying each other across the open water from Dover to Calais. We hope to complete the swim in between 16 and 20 hours, so i am expecting to dive in between 4 and 5 times. The water temperature will be a tropical 13°C, and the rules harshly state that only a one piece swimming costume, a single swimming hat and a pair of goggles may be worn. We are kindly allowed a minimal amount of vaseline on our friction points. As you may be aware, the English Channel is the busiest east to west shipping lane in the world, with tankers up to half a mile long, and a constant stream of north to south ferries. Being only 5ft4 tall, this is a slightly daunting prospect. You may think that the swim itself is the real challenge, but in my case it is not. I will have to face smacks of jellyfish which for years have sent me straight into a hissy fit, often resulting in a major panic attack. I have been training since February in the Serpentine Lake, where the water started at a nippy 4°C, and have been attending regular pool and Dover harbour training sessions since then. Although I love sport, I have never been a swimmer, so this really is proving to be quite a challenge. I have decided that i will complete this swim for Demelza Hospice Care For Children, a children's charity which runs 2 hospices and out-reach care for children in the south of England. It provides not only respite care for the children and their families, but also end of life care. They work with children with both life threatening and life limiting illnesses and rely solely on donations and fundraising. I am aiming to raise around £5000, and would love you to dig deep into your pockets and sponsor me as generously as you feel able to. Having visited the newly opened hospice in Eltham, I cannot think of a more worthy charity to swim across the Channel and fight off the hoards of jellyfish for.
Raised:
145%
Raised so far: £7,275.50
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WELLDONE VICKY!! So proud of you, an amazing achievement. Xxxxxxxxxxxx Donation by Christabel Moffat on 18/09/09 |
£35.00 + £9.87 Gift Aid |
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Donated on behalf of Will B's parents who kindly sponsored the whole of the relay swim Donation by sophie mirman on 14/09/09 |
£630.50 + £177.83 Gift Aid |
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congratulations and Well done you Donation by Eleanor Angel on 23/08/09 |
£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid |
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You are probably mad but definitely amazing. Well done. Love Peter & Suzanne xxxx Donation by Peter Burstein on 23/07/09 |
£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid |
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Well done Victoria. Best wishes, Jan Fletcher Donation by Jan Fletcher OBE on 20/07/09 |
£100.00 |
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Bravo Victoria ! Nous sommes très fiers et très impressionnés... Donation by charlotte Halpern on 14/07/09 |
£250.00 + £70.51 Gift Aid |
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Massive congrats x Donation by Max on 12/07/09 |
£20.00 |
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I think you have done a fantastic and original job. Really well done. Donation by Clive Beecham on 10/07/09 |
£150.00 + £42.31 Gift Aid |
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Many, many congratulations on your outstanding achievement and commitment to such a worthy cause. Fantastic! Donation by Craig, Sarah, Grace & Tom on 07/07/09 |
£200.00 + £56.41 Gift Aid |
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Did you notice Michelle and David swimming right behind you disguised as a jellyfish? Huge congratulations. You are one in a million. Donation by David and Michelle on 06/07/09 |
£200.00 + £56.41 Gift Aid |
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What a fantastic effort! Well done. Donation by Sophia and Chas Mason on 06/07/09 |
£200.00 + £56.41 Gift Aid |
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What an amazing feat! Well done, Victoria! We cheered you to the rafters in final assembly. Donation by Marion Gibbs on 04/07/09 |
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We are so proud of you and we love your mad genes. Well done indeed to you and your coach. All our love Donation by Jane & Geoffrey on 02/07/09 |
£200.00 + £56.41 Gift Aid |
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Donation by Anonymous on 01/07/09 |
£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid |
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Hope it all goes well Donation by Guy Staight on 01/07/09 |
£50.00 |
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Felicitations ma cherie!!!! or should I say "ma sirene":? bisous des markhams Donation by sandrine markham on 01/07/09 |
£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid |
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your swimming this as i donate.fingers crossed,good luck and well done x Donation by alison beecham on 30/06/09 |
£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid |
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Undoubtedly mad. but what a challenge. Will you be the first JAGS girl to swim the channel? We will need to try and find out. Good luck. Donation by deborah bicknell on 30/06/09 |
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Donation by Anonymous on 30/06/09 |
£250.00 + £70.51 Gift Aid |
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Donation by Anonymous on 30/06/09 |
£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid |
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Dear Victoria, Best of luck for tomorrow. You've worked so hard to get to this point and it's a huge achievement, Alison x Donation by Alison Lakey on 29/06/09 |
£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid |
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Good luck you nutter! Your determination is incredible xxx Donation by William Ross on 29/06/09 |
£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid |
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Vicky - what you are doing is amazing ! Best of luck for this great challenge. Bon Courage ! Donation by Alice & J-Lau on 29/06/09 |
£200.00 + £56.41 Gift Aid |
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All the best little fish. Swim like you've never swum before x Donation by Nick, Teresa, Katie and Sarah on 28/06/09 |
£125.00 + £35.26 Gift Aid |
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Bravo 'Mirmaid', we are in awe of your courage and you can speak French. Formidable! Donation by Johnny and Jane on 26/06/09 |
£75.00 + £21.15 Gift Aid |
| * Total raised online: | £3,950.50 |
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| Offline donations: | £3,325.00 |
| Mobile donations: | £0.00 |
| Total Raised: | £7,275.50 |
| Gift Aid plus supplement: | £1,062.06 |
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