Swim across the English Channel?!? Yes... That's right!

The week of July 3, 2018 (exact time determined by weather), I will be hitting the sea with 5 teammates - swimming an hour each, as many times as it takes, to go from England's Dover Harbour to the shores of France. 

"Why on earth?" You might ask. 

Well, did you know that every eight hours someone is paralysed by a spinal cord injury? Individuals impacted by such an injury lose muscle and sensory control and the vast majority become full time wheelchair users for the rest of their lives.  Historically, the majority of spinal cord injuries have been sustained by those aged 21 to 30, with nearly three quarters of newly injured people being male, although increasingly it is affecting older people too.

It's so easy to take our mobility for granted and so swimming reminds me that I have a chance to help others by doing something I love. But it's not going to be easy. I grew up open water swimming in Hawaii where the temperature is incredibly inviting. The temperature of the channel (at its summer height of 18 degrees) is a far cry from that! Therefore, it is as much a psychological challenge for me as it is a physical one. I hate the cold but this relay swim is giving me a chance to face some of those fears and learn to embrace these northern waters.

You see, my campaign is not only to raise awareness about spinal cord injury and the impact it has on people's lives but also to help raise funds to deliver the life-changing services that Aspire provides. For example, Aspire Charity assists the injured in a variety of ways including:

• Housing
• Independent living advisors
• Assistive technology
• Benefits advice service
• Grants to assist in the purchase of personal equipment

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never 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.

There is an added bonus! Every donation is eligible for a special thank you for supporting this worthy cause.