Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. I find myself writing this, slightly regretting having let myself in for such a mammoth task! I kind of mentioned it to one person, and now it has snowballed - the lovely people at Riverside Ice and Leisure Centre in Chelmsford had originally agreed to let me have a lane to myself in the pool for 24 hours, but due to a hip injury in training I am having to amend the plan a little. I will still swim 22 miles. I will still aim to do it in 24 hours or hopefully less, but those 24 hours will now have to be spread out throughout the month of May so I do no further harm to my hip. I am gutted about this, but it is stilk a big challengr and your sponsorship will still be going to an incredible cause - so now just lies the task of raising some money.

I came across the Sam Buxton Sunflower Healing Trust when I was lucky enough to become one of the therapists they provide the funding to employ within the NHS and Hospice Care settings. I work as a reiki therapist in the Breast Unit at St Margaret's Hospital, Epping, offering treatments to ladies undergoing treatment for Breast Cancer, to the staff who take care of them, and the family and friends who are vital in their recovery and wellbeing.

I love what I do, and this role is so fulfilling for me as a therapist. My ladies are so courageous, so full of brilliant stories, and passion for life. I learn something new every day being around these incredible women, and their families - and I want to help Sam Buxton to fund more hospitals and hospices so that other men, women and children across the country can benefit from having complementary therapies during their life saving treatments. 

The comments I hear from my ladies are all about how important it is to them to have some time for themselves, a bit of time to process their emotions, some time out from the endless round of hospital appointments, the prodding/poking/needle jabbing and other invasive and pretty uncomfortable things that go hand in hand with their treatments, and to be able to remember that their body can provide them with pleasure too. It is their haven, and they find it reassuring, supportive and helps them feel more positive and confident - about themselves as people, and about the outcome of their treatment. This opportunity to receive free complementary therapy care, at a time when money can be hard to come by, is a vital part of their lives.  Please help me to give other brave and courageous people going through cancer treatment across the country the cance to benefit from the reassurance, peace and calm that these simple healing treatments can offer. My goal is to raise enough money to fund a therapist for a year - yes it really is that cheap to provide an Oncology department with a therapist for 7 hours a week for a whole year!

And now, a little bit about me! I am a big girl, and proud of who I am. It has become part of my mission in life to prove to those people who are a little larger than life that they are still wonderful, still beautiful, and above all still highly capable, loving people with a lot to offer. It is no good putting off getting that new job, or looking for a partner, or taking up dance lessons until you have lost the weight - you do that and you will end up with a list of 'what if's' that is taller than you are. We have to seize the day and just do it now. I am 17 and a half stone of fabulous, gorgeous woman, I burlesque dance, write trashy romance novels, play squash twice a week - and I am about to swim 22 miles in 24 hours. If I can do this - anyone can do anything!

So - a message to everyone - get up off your chairs, stop feeling sorry for yourself, and whether you be fat, thin, or somewhere in the middle do something to surprise yourself today. You will be glad you did! If you feel like coming down and supporting me on any of the days I will be in the pool from 230pm on 30th to 1930, from 8am to 1400 on 1st and 8am to 1400 and 1430 to 1930 on 2nd! There will be room in the viewing gallery, or if you want to swim a few lengths with me your support will be much appreciated! But, the key thing - please give me your money so we can together fund getting another therapist into another oncology ward. 

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.

So please dig deep and donate now. Thank you so much - every penny is very gratefully received. lots of love Roly xxxx