Raised: 133%
Target: £1,000.00
Raised so far: £1,325.00
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My story

 
Most of you will know why I am going to undertake this self-inflicted torture, but for those who don't; I'll tell you why.  I feel it is so very important to raise not just some pennies for the Ileostomy Association (IA), www.iasupport.org but to also raise its general profile within the community.

With regard to the many trials and tribulations concerning my own ileostomy I do not want to go into too much detail, it would take far too long.  Suffice it to say that I have spent a year and a half as a special guest of the NHS.  The time being allocated to sleepy times in theatre (about 20 procedures and operations), chilling-out in various wards, spaced-out on morphine, climbing up the stairs on all fours, being pushed around in a wheel chair, and being fed through my neck; indeed the only constancies were the presence of pain - bad times indeed and the presence of my amazingly supportive family and friends - good times. Although, I need to stress that the above circumstances were exceptional and not the case for all, if many ostomates. But never-the-less, whatever their experience it is far from easy. What is most important, however, is that you should know that this is so far from the case now and I would like to believe that by taking part in this event a few more of you will come to understand what it actually means for someone to have an ileostomy; and that now, strange as it may seem, life is measurably better with an ileostomy than it has been for the past eight years.

By swimming this mile in open water (about 15 degrees) in September I hope to show that with grit, determination and stickability (no mention of guts) anything is possible.  Moreover I hope to give courage and confidence to others undergoing or about to undergo an ileostomy, who perhaps do not have the support around them that i was fortunate enough to have, and so look to organisations such as the IA for such encouragement and advice. Hopefully it will help them to understand some of the issues, physical and mental battles that I underwent, and to some extent still am.

So, thanks for taking the time to visit my Just Giving page.  Donating through Just Giving is simple, fast and totally secure; your details are safe with Just Giving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails.  Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the Charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer.  So it's the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the Charity.

So if you think it's worthy cause and you'd like to see me in a tri-suit flailing around in choppy open water; please make a donation.

Details of where i'll be swimming and how to get there (Alton Water) if you are supporting me, can be found here: http://www.greatswim.org/GSE/index.html

 

Well done from another ileostomist who is also making the most of life. Donation by Alec 24/12/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

I liked the plastic swimming hats although where was Alan? Donation by Julie 15/10/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Well done Hannah! We are all very proud of you and amazed at your determination and courage. Donation by Suzie Gagen 06/10/09  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

Well done Hannah - a brilliant achievement Donation by Bob and Lil (Suzie's mum & dad) 06/10/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Well done you! x Donation by Sylvia Monkhouse 01/10/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Donation by Bacardi Dave and Rowing Steve 27/09/09  

£15.00

well done han - yet another milestone in your new lease of life Donation by Sandy 27/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

go girl go.. the Gagru team Donation by Ceaser, Arthur and mumma Liz xxx 27/09/09  

£40.00 + £11.28 Gift Aid

Only you could look that good in a wet suit. Take care. Donation by Sally Coveney 26/09/09  

£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid

Go, go, go Hannah Felice! I bet you're the most cutting edge swimmer in that river! Donation by Larissa Green 25/09/09  

£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid

Good luck Hannah! You're a true inspiration! Donation by Rosanna Murray 25/09/09  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

Let's get it up to £1,200!!! Donation by James H 25/09/09  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

Don't drown. It would really put a dampner on things. Donation by Elliot Dunster 24/09/09  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

Dear Beast. Hope it all goes well on Saturday. I am really proud of you for doing this. Love you lots, Sarah and Mike xx Donation by Sarah Gregory 23/09/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

swim Forrest SWIM! Donation by Matt McCormick 21/09/09  

£10.00

Good luck Han! Donation by Chris Houlden 21/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Yo yo yo lady, very proud / concerned for your mental wellbeing...hehe. Phew GOOD LUCK!!! xxx Donation by Heather Davies 17/09/09  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

Donation by sweaters and ants.... 17/09/09  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

Good luck Hannah. Donation by Julie Leather 16/09/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Make sure you tape up that bag b***t*h. Don't want a s***t trail behind you! Donation by Thomas Gagen 15/09/09  

Best of British and enjoy the mega lunches whilst they last...! Very impressive stuff - happy swimming!!! Hannah x Donation by Hannah Sierp 11/09/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good luck gagglefish Donation by Singhy 09/09/09  

£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid

Taking money from a poor old pensioner, some people! Donation by Davy Johnston 08/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Hey Hannah - good luck. Go easy on the goose fat Sue x Donation by Sue Williams 08/09/09  

£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid

You are amazing. Remember that when you think you're going to sink! Donation by Shiona Adamson 07/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Dont think I could do it in cold water your mad.Well done for all the training and determination.Love H Donation by Haze 05/09/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

You go girl! Donation by Helen Cox 05/09/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

You are a fantastic person that has been through so much. As Dory says "Just keep swimming" Donation by Nemo's Dad 04/09/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Go Flipper! good luck xxx Donation by Lozza 04/09/09  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

Do the face of Neeeeyeeed all the way and you'll be fine. x Donation by Bionic Ginge 04/09/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
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* Total raised online: £1,325.00
  Offline donations: £0.00
  Gift Aid plus supplement: £353.97

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