This is a BIG challenge for me. No-one could mistake me for an athlete. But here I go: 15km or so in the sea with a probable maximum temperature of 14c (57f) and a fair amount of walking over the islands.

Please support me and donate as much as you can to War Child. 

I enjoy going for a quick swim in the 91m Tooting Bec Lido throughout the year. I don't wear a wetsuit and there are no seals, jellyfish or funky seaweed. 

The Lido is my happy place. Sea swimming: I'm not that brave. Endurance swimming: you're having a laugh.

Thanks to Covid and multiple lockdowns training has been difficult. However, I have it easy . . . I'm not in a war zone.  

I'm doing this challenge for the children who are. The children in Afghanistan who need urgent support now and the children in Democratic Republic of Congo, Yemen, Iraq and the Central African Republic who face issues such as sexual and gender based violence (where girls are particularly at risk), trafficking, recruitment as soldiers, enforced labor, enforced marriage.

War Child uses a community-based approach, working with children, families, community leaders, and local and central authorities. They partner with other NGOs and networks to ensure children can access help and a safe environment. We provide business skills training for mothers and caregivers to improve their income and life chances.

You’ll help War Child provide the emergency care and support they need to overcome the emotional and physical toll of conflict, as well as access to services to catch up on lost education that will help to transform their futures for the better.

This is the actual swim:

• St. Mary’s - St Agnes (2.9km)
• St. Agnes - Samson (4.8km)
• Samson - Bryher (1km)
• Bryher - Tresco (600m)
• Tresco - St. Martin’s (2.3km)
• St. Martin’s - St Mary’s (2.8km)

Please dig deep: I've been 'chased' by seals, surely that's worth a little extra?!

THANK YOU

Cxx

You can follow my progress on Instagram @charhamilton

or click through the gallery above!

For those of you not in the U.K. the Scilly Isles are situated  28 miles off the coast of Cornwall at the south western most point.