My dear friend Stewart had an accident in August 1981 when he was just a teenager. (He was a back seat passenger in a car which crashed returning from a game of golf in which he broke his neck leaving him paralysed). He had a level C3 incomplete break leaving him tetraplegic. I have only known him for a few years. Since COVID actually .When I was at home , lonely like so many others, we became in touch online.Four years on we are still firm friends, in contact every week and his story touches my heart.He is a true staunch strong Scotsman , he lives in Inverness, we have never met and probably never will, but every time we speak I am humbled and in awe of his bravery , fortitude, resilience and good humour in the face of ongoing adversity. He is the most talented and creative, most intelligent , funniest person I have never met, and I would like to dedicate any sponsorship money I achieve to him and people like him who go boldly forwards when others in more fortunate positions do not and have no idea how blessed they are to have limbs that work , a body that functions as it was born to and do not have to look forwards to a lifetime of physical limitations and challenges.

I will be swimming 22 miles, the equivalent distance to a cross-channel swim , to raise money for my friend and others in a similar situation.Im doing it in a pool, and in stages, but nonetheless it will be a challenge.At 57 my body is not at its strongest nor am I the fittest person in the world, however I finally have the chance to do something positive for my friend so it's a ‘ no-brainer’ and a drop in the ocean compared to Stewarts daily challenges.