Hi everyone! Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Here's short introduction to how this craziness came about because I have never been the best swimmer (it wasn't even my favourite sport!) and only swam because 

1) My parents made me do it as a kid to equip me with skills to keep fit and stay afloat if I somehow fell into a pool by accident. 

 2) I had an injury as a student athlete and couldn't run for a couple of months so my coach made me swim laps while my teammates ran on the tracks. 

3) I joined the Lifeguard Corps while training to be a nurse in school and so, was made to be able to swim quick enough to save a drowning person, hence, more swimming.

4) I fell in love with triathlons.

And because of my love for triathlons, I met a colleague at work last year asked me to join her swim relay team which I agreed instantaneously as I thought it'd be a great way to train for my triathlons!

WRONG!

I did not know what I was getting myself into because the relay which I am going to be taking part in will require my teammates and I to swim from England to France without a wetsuit in the frigid Channel waters.

After much procrastination, I finally started acclimatising to swimming in the cold without a wetsuit since April when the waters were 10 degrees and have been training a few times each week with monthly trips to Dover beach.The hardest part of this challenge was to qualify for the swim where we had to be able to swim for 2 hours in 15 degrees water without a wetsuit which the four of us have finally completed. 

This journey hasn't been an easy one with loads of chattering teeth and sea water being ingested and the constant ache in the shoulders/ neck/ arms every week, but it has taught me loads about discipline and perseverance, and how the mind can convince your body to do more than what you think is your limit.

I have been trying to decide a charity which I wanted to dedicate this swim to and finally decided last week that my charity of choice would be the St Giles Trust. 

Having worked in the Adult Critical Care Unit at the Royal London Hospital since last November, I have had the opportunity to work with them, and saw how they have impacted and helped numerous young patients who suffered horrific injuries from being victims of violent crimes get their lives back and supported them not only within, but outside the hospital doors too. They bring a message of hope to young people affected by gangs and related issues such as weapons violence and county lines that it doesn't have to be their lives forever and that something good can come out of the bad that has happened to them. 

My hope is for the funds raised would help contribute to the team working at the Royal London Hospital in supporting them impact the lives of the vulnerable young people to help get them back on their feet.