To mark turning 40 I have set myself the challenge of doing 40 new and amazing things this year. One of those things will be the Bantham Swoosh, a 6km swim in the River Avon from the village of Aveton Gifford to Bantham Beach in July. I'll be raising money for Aveton Gifford Community Pool.

New and amazing? Yes! I've done a couple of open water events before but over much shorter distances. I've had the ambition for a couple of years to do a longer swim somewhere beautiful, and this is the year that I will stop talking about it and actually do it! Swimming the Swoosh also gives me a reason to sort out my dodgy swimming technique and another new and amazing thing I have been enjoying is regular training sessions with my lovely local swimming club.

By supporting me to raise funds for Aveton Gifford Community Pool, we will help the pool to stay afloat (see what I did there) and ensure that children and families in the village can continue to swim there. This year the pool are hoping we can raise enough to buy a new winter cover (which costs around £2000) as well as replace the plastic treads on the pool steps and contributing to the fund for a new pool liner.

Thanks in advance for all your support. Swimming 6km is a big challenge for me - 35 years ago I was the child that failed their 5m badge - but one that I am really looking forward to. We're supporting a great cause so dig deep and let's ensure that Aveton Gifford Community Pool continues to thrive for generations of villagers to come.