As many of you will know, over the last few years I have become a keen outdoor swimmer. Starting with a few leisurely dips at the Hampstead Heath lido, I soon donned a wetsuit, learned front crawl, and now can swim with the big boys & girls in the fast lane. It's become a bit of a family affair - spurred on by my amazing mother (who has gone from a pootling breaststroker to swimming a 45 minute mile front crawl) we have braved wind, rain and green slime to tackle several outdoor mile swims in the Lake District. Go Team Purdue!

This year I am taking things to the next level and visiting one of my favourite cities to do a 2K swim in Copenhagen around the Danish Parliament. The home of The Little Mermaid will be a very fitting backdrop for my longest swim yet and I am delighted that my fearless friend Jo (Splash) Stephens will be joining me on this watery adventure on 29 August.

I'm doing this swim in aid of Community Action Nepal. The whole world was shocked by Nepal's devastating earthquake earlier this year and CAN is a UK based charity whose aim is to help the mountain communities of Nepal. Their projects are grass roots driven - working with locals to provide local health, education, income generation, cultural and mountain porter welfare facilities. It's a cause close to my heart - I'm an active hiker and have always wanted to visit the mountains of Nepal. I hope to get there one day.

I would be so grateful for any donations - no matter how big or small. As reward, I will send photos of myself recreating The Little Mermaid pose on a rock. Do we have a deal?

Jess x

http://copenhagenswim.com/eventen/