Ok, so we won't have to contend with sewage, currents, jellyfish or cross-channel ferries and we'll be spared greasing ourselves up.  Yet this will still be a tough challenge for us. We are a moderately fit family of 5 who never swim for anything other than fun in sunshine.

What are we going to do?

We're going to put our swimming pool to good use and swim the English Channel from home.  Dover to Calais is 21 miles so we will need to swim  2,930 lengths of our pool, taking it in turns in a family relay that will take most of the day.  None of us are regular swimmers - we usually loll about on inflatables eating ice creams so we know we will not find this easy.

These are our rules:

• Lengths can be done solo or concurrently but no more than 2 family members can swim at any one time.


• Any stroke is allowed including the unusual, unorthodox or fun lengths using inflatables.


• Each length must be recorded on the clicker.

When are we doing this?

We've done minimal preparation, mainly to time ourselves and work out the best plan for the day.  We still need a bit of time to train but hope to swim the channel on a day in the late May bank holiday weekend.  We will keep you updated on progress on this page and Katharine's Facebook page.

Why are we doing this? 

We have a lovely pool, the sun is shining (hopefully) and we feel so lucky to be living where we do.  Yet the world is in crisis and the charity that cared for Katharine's father in his last days, and is now supporting another family member in the same way, needs our support.  

Whilst not part of the NHS, Rennie Grove Hospice Care is part of a care sector which takes the pressure off the NHS.  Their nurses look after patients with chronic, terminal and life-limiting illnesses in their own homes, keeping them out of hospitals. Their patients are most at risk from the complications of COVID-19. Their nurses, wearing increased PPE are treating more patients than at any time in their history despite staff shortages due to illness and with each visit taking longer to ensure suitable infection control.

It has never been more important that their patients are kept safe, at home, yet the charity is facing a drop in fundraising of up to 75%. All their charity shops are shut and fundraising events have been cancelled. Only 11% of its funds come from the NHS, the rest is reliant on donations and fund raising. 

We are concerned that this challenge may be beyond us but we feel we must do something to help.  Please help us to help Rennie Grove to help its patients.  By donating you will be supporting nurses on the care sector's front line.

Thank-you