After 230km of swim training since Jan, on Sunday I swam the 17km length of Lake Windermere, England’s longest lake, in 8hrs2mins without a wetsuit (24 skins from a field of 200). Water temp 17c & near perfect conditions. It's the longest and toughest swim I've ever done but also the most beautiful & rewarding. Here’s me not long out of the water. Pie & mash followed soon after. With your help, I’ve raised nearly £1,000 which has significantly helped several stray & abandoned cats on the road to recovery and rehoming. Huge thanks! Jem

Huge thanks to everyone for getting us over £700! I've swum just over 230 km in training for Sunday's challenge and I'm really excited to get going. Here's how your donations are being spent: - Heart scan & blood tests for grumpy Gigino - spay & MOT for 2 strays recently brought to the center - help towards treatment for Steve (pictured) who has a metatarsal fracture and an abcessed wound. Steve was a stray but is so keen on human interaction he'll be found a loving home when better rather than going back to his previous stray lifestyle.

More training - this time 14km in the Thames Marathon from Henley-on-Thames to Marlow in 5hrs20. Gorgeous weather, lovely scenery and a slight push from the current. Just over 3 weeks to go to the big one. Windermere, look out, here I come!