I will be attempting a English Channel Relay crossing, with 4 fellow middle-aged mad women, with the crossing window opening on 10th August 2022. Having found a love of swimming in 2018 in the lakes and rivers of Worcestershire, I went on to learn to swim front crawl in 2020 and here we are! 

Its beyond my wildest dream that I am even in a position to attempt this but in its own way is testing my mental as well as physical resilience. My confidence and mental strength is more fragile than my body!!!  My  recent fitness journey has helped my mental well being so much, along with losing 6 stone in the last 18 months with lots more to still come off,  and I so wished I had taken the step to "look after myself" years before.  When things have been tough in the past the Samaritans were there for me on a number of occasions when I just needed someone to "talk" to.  Actually once I think i sat and cried down the phone at a stranger for 2 hours with them "just there".  I think they are an amazing charity

I am aiming to raise a bit of funding for the Samaritans to add to the monthly donations I make.  I am sure you all know about them and maybe even some of you have reached out to them but just in case bit of info below.

I know no-one has much spare cash these day but if you can spare just a £1 it would be appreciated

 Every single day, around 16 people decide to end their own life across England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. We know our service can help people before it's too late. With over 20,000 volunteers based in 201 branches across 5 nations, we’re actively involved in a community near you. We reach out and work with schools, colleges and universities, workplaces, health and welfare services, homeless shelters, prisons and other charities. We also promote awareness of our service at local social venues, community events and music festivals.