Thanks for visiting my fundraising page.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Diabetes UK gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

Phew - it's finished.  2012 lengths, over 31 miles of swimming. 

Thank you all for your donations.  If you haven't yet - it's not too late. 

So far I've raised £571 plus gift aid for Diabetes UK.   Thank you all so so much.

What's your challenge?  Want some help? Contact me for some coaching 07785502716 or agneta@go2learning.co.uk

Here's my story

Thank you so much for supporting my cause. I was suddenly diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes (insulin dependent – yes needles) in July 2004. What a shock! I hadn't seen it coming and it had many positive effects on my life. Before being diagnosed I was drinking a lot of water, (like 2 liters by 11 am) going to the loo a lot. I was very fit and worked out 2-3 times a week. I was happy with the unexplained weight loss!! The reason I went to the doctor was that my vision was blurred and my optician said my eyes were very dry. She said she was so concerned she was going to write to my doctor. I had to get there before the letter arrived!

One of the many positive things is that I was immediately set targets for everything – blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, weight (height as well I think!!) The targets also included calculating how many carbohydrates in every meal so I could shoot up the right amount of insulin – what a chore. You do get used to it surprisingly quickly. I've had excellent support from both my Doctors in Brighton and Lechlade although I've not been a saint by any means.

I'm a trainer by profession and have always been interested in coaching. I've done some courses and have started a business doing this. You're thinking – what's this got to do with diabetes. Well, diabetes is very target and future driven and I now have coach who helps me with mine. My coach, Jaynie, has 'helped me with my thinking' (which is the definition of a coach) about my new coaching company and more importantly helped me bring together 3 things that are important to me in my live and hence my sponsored swim.

Firstly, my health – I've always liked swimming and since being made redundant this, apart from walking, is my main source of exercise. I done it for 13 years now so not going to give it up. I do have gaps from time to time – before it was in line with boyfriends. I'm now settled and so has my swimming routine.

Secondly, I wanted to give something back. Something back to do with Diabetes. I find it depressing and demotivating to visit the hospital Diabetes clinic where older diabetics are suffering from the effects of poor diabetic control.

Thirdly, or maybe it should be firstly as I do need to pay the bills. My new coaching and training company is in start up mode. I've got work but as I've moved to a new area and have been made redundant , I need to market my business. Cheeky really, but everyone does it and I couldn't miss the opportunity of these three things colliding together and meeting lots of targets and goals.

Why 2012 you ask? Well, those training for the Olympics have something in common with me they have goals and targets and they have trainers and coaches. I also wanted to swim a big distance, not some tiny thing. I've also always had 'swimming the channel' as a dream. That's 22 miles and I'm doing 31 (okay it's in a pool without so many waves) May be the Channel next!

Thanks for your support your money will go to a great cause. There are currently over 2.5 million people with diabetes in the UK and more than half a million people with diabetes who have the condition and don't know it. Only a small proportion have Type 1 and research is going well for a cure. (see www.diabetes.org.uk)

I know I can do it, so give generously and there will be a lot of grateful people.

Thanks again