THE BANTHAM SWOOSH - MY BIGGEST ONE YET!

As you all know by now I like a challenge and pushing myself to the absolute limit.

This year I have decided to take on a 6km (3.7 miles) open water Swim on Saturday 06 July in Bantham, Devon. The Bantham Swoosh is a hearty swim navigating, tides, chop current and waves with cooler water temperatures than normal making it harder to acclimatise.

I absolutely love swimming, it is a great way to keep your whole body in shape (as you can tell from my slender athletic figure). It is also a great way to switch off form the world and enjoy some me time. Which is why I have decided to up the anti!

I currently Swim 1 mile in easy indoor pool conditions in around 35/40 minutes including 1/2 min breaks. I have never swam more than 1.5 miles in my life and haven't swam over a mile for a good few years! My challenge to myself is to complete this swim without stopping in under 2 hours. I will also bin the alcohol for 8 weeks before the event and will be undergoing a full training regime in preparation. I don't agree with raising money without putting myself through it and for those of you that know me, I like a bev!

In my previous charity events I have raised money for the larger organisations such as the Stroke association and also Macmillan Cancer research. This year I have decided to do something for the local community linked to my swim as we all know how important they are!

Aveton Gifford community outdoor pool is a beneficiary of the swim. It’s an open air pool in the village where the swim starts. It’s attached to the school, and used for primary school swim lessons as well as open for village use. It’s a wonderful facility that now needs to be self-supporting. Hundreds of children have been taught to swim here and is vital for their safety, health and wellbeing in a place surrounded by sea and rivers. Unfortunately in the current days of public funding cuts and the reduction of sports budgets in school curriculums, it’s become ever more so difficult to maintain and ensure future generations of local children can learn to swim and one day swim the Swoosh too!

Please be generous with your support, the more money raised the more minutes I promise to shave off my swim. Your donations will go direct to the pools bank account and will be spent on real improvements.

I can't wait to see you there on the day showing your support and hope you can hang around for a few beers on the beach to celebrate afterwards!