This may not be the first time you've visited a fundraising page of mine. If it's not, thank you for your continued support. I have no expectation of sponsorship, but my view is that if I don't set up a page then I'm certain no money will be raised. If I set up a page then maybe a pound will be raised. And every penny counts for all charities, so it's worth taking 10mins to set up a page! 

I've been challenging myself all year (see https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/my-year-mini-challenges-so-far-journey-wellbeing-tara-ferguson for a summary of Jan-June). August is by far the furthest out of my comfort zone!! Near the end of July I hadn't made my mind up what the next month would be and was throwing ideas around with friends - perhaps I could win a medal for something? Or bag a munro? Or have a month off? 

The Great Scottish Swim at Loch Lomond was mentioned - my husband Andy is doing the 5k, and our friend Dougie the 10k. Dougie mentioned there is a half mile distance and I laughed - the thought of me swimming half a mile in a freezing cold Loch just 4 weeks later was ridiculous!! But - annoyingly! - Dougie had planted a seed. Could I......? Would I.....? 

I had bought a cheap Aldi wetsuit a few weeks before, and we had that conversation on a holiday in the Lake District - what better opportunity to see if I could submerge myself in freezing waters!!? The next day I swam in open water for the first time. I say swam, it was really not much more than a splash about, but the seed was growing.....I actually enjoyed it! 

The others then goaded me and said that the half mile was a kids race and I should really do the mile. Well intentioned, and flattering, but nearly put me off the idea altogether. Water has never been a comfortable place for me, and I find large bodies of open water quite frightening. I used to get shivers driving past reservoirs when I was younger. I still hold Charlotte's hand tightly and well away from the edge of any water. An open water swim of any distance would be a massive challenge to me, regardless of my swimming capability.

Over the last 2 weeks I've been in open water a few more times, and in the pool 3 times. The last time I swam before August was over a year ago. All of last week I was half deaf with a blocked ear, and suddenly we're less than two weeks away from THE day and I still hadn't made my mind up whether to enter. I decided a couple of days ago to sign up - just in case! - but even then didn't tell many people such was my low self confidence.

 Today I have given myself a talking to, seen the opportunity for fundraising, and decided to tell people. I will be swimming half a mile in Loch Lomond on Saturday 26th August. There. I've said it! 

I chose Place2Be for this event as I think they do fantastic work with children at school to support their mental health and wellbeing. I hope never to need their services, but know they will be the first place I turn if ever we do. Please give whatever you can afford - £7 could support a child's lunchtime drop in session, £20 could support a parent with 121 counselling, and £95 could provide a whole school service to a child for a year. Would you want your child or those you know to have the support they need? 

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.