The English Channel is the swimmers equivalent of Mount Everest and in the middle of June I will be swimming 22 miles across it as  part of a six-person relay team, Tidal Force!!  

Although I've been involved with competitive swimming for the majority of my life, I quickly realised that swimming outdoors is very different and presents its own very gruelling challenges.  This was a last-minute decision for me so I have only 3 weeks to prepare.   You can't just jump in and swim to France, there is rigorous training to complete, a two and a half hour qualifying cold water swim, cold water acclimatisation, swimming in the dark and a strict medical examination, not to mention loads of paperwork! 

During our crossing, we will encounter numerous tankers and ferries as they pass through the busiest shipping channel in the world!  The water is likely to average 13 degrees Celsius, and we will have to battle through very strong currents, waves and tides.  We will wear only a swimsuit, hat and goggles - no wetsuit in sight. Each team member will swim for an hour before drying off, warming up and then doing it all again. 

By taking on this challenge I will be helping to raise vital funds for the Children's Air Ambulance.  The Children's Air Ambulance is a charity-funded air ambulance service that transfers critically ill children from local hospitals to specialist paediatric centres throughout Great Britain. It also moves specialist teams and equipment to local
hospitals when a child is too sick to travel.  

I am lucky to be able to support such an amazing cause and
hope that you can help me do that by donating. X