UPDATE: Unfortunately, the swim was unsucessful. Thanks to everybody who donated and sorry for letting you down :-(!

Hi All, thanks for taking the time to look at this page and find out more about the event. I know that fundraising activities are a dime a dozen these days and we are constantly bombarded with requests for money, so I understand if you’d rather not donate!
As some people know, in August 2009 I weighed in at sixteen stone and was in the worst shape of my life. At that point in time, I could barely run, could just about manage a single length in the pool and thought two miles on a bike was a long way.
Since then I have dropped four stone in weight, almost look like an athlete and have taught myself how to swim - my parents have video footage and many happy stories discussing my utter distain for the water so this achievement is nothing short of miraculous.
During the last two years I have completed seven triathlons, twenty-three 5km races and more recently an Ironman triathlon, which consists of a 2.4 mile (152 lengths) swim, a 112 mile bike and a 26.2 mile run – all completed sequentially and within seventeen hours. All of which has provided me with good training for my next goal.
My next event is slightly unorthodox as it consists of swimming the English Channel in the form of a swim relay. This means that as a group of swimmers we take it in turns battling the sea for an hour at a time in a collective attempt to reach France.
The English Channel is the busiest shipping lane in the world and without being crude; the water is less than pleasant. The temperature is about half that of your typical swimming pool and wetsuits are not permitted. This means I’ll be donning my Speedos, a single swim cap, a pair of goggles and swimming in water that is very cold and dirty. Oh and there’s jellyfish – lots of them.
Apologies for the essay. Please, please donate – all donations go directly to Wigan and Leigh hospice and will help them greatly!

UPDATE: The swim should take place between September 9th - September 16th. It doesn't take seven days, but It is highly dependent on tides/weather, so we have to wait for the right time to swim.