I am delighted to have been selected to take part in this English Channel Relay Swim to raise money for Aspire.

As many of you will know, I have been a competitive swimmer in the pool for most of my life, and more recently in open water. In recent years I have swam from Alcatraz Island to San Francisco mainland (avoiding the sharks), raising over £1,600 for charity, as well as several major events in the UK such as the 5k 'Big Brutal Swim' in a Welsh glacial lake, the 6k 'Bantham Swoosh' and the Aspire Night Swim.

Seeking the next challenge, I have joined a team which will swim across the English Channel this summer whilst raising money for this very worthy cause.

I would be hugely grateful if you could support me, the team, and Aspire in this challenge.

About the Swim

The total distance (as the crow flies) across the English Channel from Dover in Kent to Calais in France is 22 miles (35+km), although due to weather conditions, tides and currents most swims are significantly longer (sometimes over 40 miles).

A team of six swimmers board a sea-sickness-inducing boat and take it in turns to swim one-hour stints until they reach the French coast. There can be no drop-outs or substitutions - if one fails, the team fails.

As per Channel Swimming Association rules, wetsuits are not allowed. A swimmer is only permitted to wear one swimming 'costume', goggles and a cap. Water temperature in the summer tends to be around 15c. There is no set date for this swim currently, although we will have a window of opportunity and will have to be ready to go as soon as conditions permit.

About Aspire

I have pledged to raise at least £1,750 for charity Aspire (without which I will not be permitted to take part) although I would love to raise far more.

Aspire provides practical help to people who have been paralysed by
Spinal Cord Injury, supporting them from injury to independence. Every eight hours someone is paralysed by a spinal cord injury - this life changing incident can happen to anybody at any time and there is no cure.

Through its projects and programmes, Aspire offers practical support to the 40,000 people living with a spinal cord injury in the UK so that they can lead fulfilled and independent lives in their homes, with their families, in work places and in leisure time.

For more information about Aspire and its work please visit www.aspire.org.uk

How to donate

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.