Late last year I was encouraged(???) to take part in a mid-life challenge by John Wood, my best pal from Aus. I decided this was an opportunity to raise funds for 2 causes close to my heart, and funds I raise will be split equally between them.

On July 21st, the challenge is to swim 6.5 km (4 miles) unassisted (no wetsuits) across the Bosphorus in Istanbul. The current helps and makes it nearer 4km, but there is a time limit of 2 hours to complete the swim. I'm nervous!!

The first cause is the Motor Neurone Disease Association. This is a terrible disease, and this was brought home to me recently when one of my friends from the Water Ski community was diagnosed with MND. I felt that I could do this challenge to raise awareness and funds to support the MND Association. (Please note if would like to offer gift aid to MNDA, please contact me and I'll tell you how we can achieve this worthwhile extra.)

Motor Neurone Disease Association

The second cause is the Friends of Tournament Water Skiing. I have been involved Water Skiing since I was very young. This sport has seen a decline since the days when it had public exposure on TV. Funding from national sports bodies has been reduced to next to nothing and young talented athletes are having to find funds from friends & relatives to enable them to compete at the highest Level. Despite this, our current batch of Water Skiing talent is still showing the world that the UK can still cut it at the highest level, and I think they need every help and encouragement.

Friends of Tournament Water Skiing

I would like to thank;

Woodsie - for getting me into this....

Three Sisters WSC and members - for putting up with me swimming round the lake (and not running me over with the boat!).

Sarah Davies at the MNDA - for help and advice with the fundraising mechanism.

Nuffield Health Bolton - for getting me into some sort of shape where I might even complete this! Especially Martin and Frazer.

Mark Laithwaite and all at The Endurance Store - for coaching and advice with the open water swimming.