Earlier this year I lost a great friend, Shaunagh de Boinville, from Baughurst in Hampshire, who I've known for twenty two years. She wasn't just a friend, she was a remarkable woman, inspirational in every way. A devoted mother and wife to Simon and their three super children, Cornelia, Nico and Lucian (now adults) and a driving educationalist at her Montessori School, and within the Montessori arena. Her loss is huge to many.

I wanted to help Breast Cancer Now, a charity she was involved in, as a mark of how important this lady continues to be for many people and so I decided I'd swim the English Channel in the hope to raise a significant amount of money. My mother has also battled this tragic disease so I find this as close to home as it possibly can be.

Only 1,600 people have ever successfully managed to swim the 21 mile English Channel solo, so my task is monumental. I have a swim slot aboard the Viking Princess boat, to make an attempt to swim the Channel sometime between September 22-29 th this year, the exact date is dependent on the weather conditions! In the meantime the hellish hours of freezing cold water swim training continues, however this is nothing compared to the battle that Shaunagh and many others fought and continue to fight against breast cancer.

I am swimming for Breast Cancer Now solely as it is a charity which Shaunagh held so very dear to her heart, in her determination to ensure that no other woman should have to suffer as she did. Shaunagh had far too much more to do in her work as a Montessori teacher, a mother, a wife and a friend. She was an incredible talent, creative beyond words and someone who inspired so many to achieve their full potential and wildest dreams.

By doing this swim I hope to ensure that Shaunagh’ s inspirational sprit and love of life lives on and that Breast Cancer Now achieve their ambition that by 2050, no one will die from breast cancer.