I did it....yippee!!!!!

On 30 August 2008 I joined 229 other people who had come from all over the world to swim the Hellespont in Turkey. Following in the footsteps of Leander and Lord Byron, we would attempt to swim the 4.5km across the Dardanelles from Europe to Asia. For one day a year, this normally crowded shipping lane is closed whilst the annual Turkish Remembrance Day race takes part.

Well as you can see from the smile on my face I did it and in 78 minutes - well within the 90 minute deadline.

It was a fantastic experience. At times quite daunting as I found myself alone in open water with just the jelly fish for company but on the whole it was superb. The conditions were excellent. It was hot but the sea was calm - unlike the day before and after! It was a great achievement and something I will always remember.

Apart from the personal satisfaction of achieving my goal I was doing this for a reason and that was to raise money for Cancer Research UK. As you can see I have also achieved this other goal raising over £1000. That is down to people like you who have shown incredible generosity. I would like to thank you all very much indeed. Your messages of support helped me get across that huge stretch of water and your donations will already be helping to make a difference to others.

As well as everyone listed below I would also like to thank those that gave me donations off line. That includes Pat's mum, Margaret Hutchinson, Ray 'One Off' and his kind friends from Brampton and Wombwell, Pat and Ray Swift, Russell R, Anna V, Janet and Charles Grant, friends from Orton Hall, Andrew Macintosh and John Harvey - you know who you are - thank you so much.

Now what shall I do next?.....

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Cancer Research 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.

So please sponsor me now!