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The 1st of October 2014 will be the 20th anniversary of the death of my first wife, Jane Frances Martin (Eltham). She died from Ovarian Cancer after 6 months of treatment, and a few months after our wedding.

This year I wanted to mark the day in some meaningful way. We (Jane's mum, Georgie, and her two brothers, John and Peter) scattered Jane's ashes on Coniston Water from the Gondola Steam Boat. I wanted what ever we did to mark her anniversary to be somehow connected to the lake. After much consideration I decided to get in and swim in the lake.

As an unfit and overweight middle-aged bald guy with dodgy knees - my initial plans weren't too ambitious. But with the encouragement of my favorite cousin, Julie, and my lovely wife, Eileen, I decided to aim high and try swim as much of the lake as possible...  swim for Jane France Martin - SwimJFM !

I started training in the local pool in February this year - a week or so after my mum died. So really this is also for Mum too! Coming from such a low base (0!!) was a concern at first - but I'm making decent progress - and with just under 6 months to go I'm beginning to feel sort of confident.

So... on Saturday the 4th of October I will be attempting to swim 3 miles along the length of Coniston Water. I have had fantastic support from the beginning from family and friends. My cousin Julie deserves huge thanks. Not only will she be swimming alongside me the whole way - she has organised the days events from start to finish - getting permissions from all the authorities - even pulling in favors from her colleagues at International Rescue Corps who will be providing the essential back-up services (3 miles is a long way!) and equipment.

I am very content that this will be a personal and fitting tribute to Jane - and with your help I also hope to raise about £5,000 for a very worthwhile and appropriate charity, Ovarian Cancer Action.

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UPDATE: 8 October

As the weather hasn't been kind the temperature of the lake will be max 16 degrees (we were hoping for something a little higher of course) - and we have decided to reduce the distance from the original 5 to approx 3 miles.

Training has gone reasonably well - thanks to everyone for their support so far