Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Sometime in the week beginning August 15th 2019 I will be swimming the Channel in a team of six (currently) strangers in order to raise money for Aspire. I am a little bit scared, mostly of the cold, no wetsuits are allowed.

Since I was little I have always said I will swim the Channel and since getting into open water swimming over the last ten years I have often thought about it and dismissed it thinking 'there's no way I'm actually going to be able to do that, what a ridiculous thing to say you are going to do; too far, too cold, too much training, too much organisation!'

However, since having a baby I lost a lot of free time in one way, but early on I gained a lot of time sitting still with a baby asleep in my arms - the perfect time to google things and investigate if I really wouldn't be able to do it.....

During my investigations I found out about Aspire and all their swims they organise and that one of these is a relay Channel swim. I read the information on their website, I emailed, I spoke to the organiser and suddenly the impossible became the possible; I could share the swim with 5 others, have someone else (with 10 years of experience) do the organisation, fund raise to pay for it and on top of that raise a significant amount of money that will go directly to the charity. When I told my husband about it I was expecting him to say 'don't be stupid', or 'really? with a 1 year old baby?', or 'you want to do what?!' but he said go for it, so here I am. 

I have applied, gone to an assessment day where we swam, found out lots of information and watched videos that went a long way to putting me off this challenge...but even after that I have decided to do it. 

One of the main reasons I have decided to do it is all the information I found out about Aspire and all the support they provide to people whose lives have been shattered by spinal cord injury. The assessment day was at their Headquarters, these aren't just an office, they are a state of the art leisure centre. They hold gym equipment accessible to all, allowing wheelchair users to use the equipment alongside others and the only swimming pool in the country with a wheelchair ramp allowing many people to independently use facilities they cannot elsewhere. Along with these facilities Aspire support people with spinal cord injury with all aspects of their lives and with getting them back on track following a life changing injury. Aspire say 'This support allows people with spinal injury to lead fulfilled and independent lives in their homes, with their families, in their workplace and in leisure time.'

It's not going to be easy, one hour of swimming in the cold English Channel, followed by 5 (cold) hours on a boat going at swimmers speed trying not to vomit, and repeat until you reach France (likely 3 times). Not to mention the first training weekend in Dover Harbour in May, the cold showers to prepare and the mandatory 2 hour swim in water less than 16 degrees to prove your eligibility.

I would love your support, a donation will not only help me reach my goal of swimming the Channel but it will also help Aspire to continue to do their work in supporting those who have spinal cord injuries. 42 people will be swimming in teams this summer and the money raised will be hugely significant in allowing Aspire to do what they do.

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.