UPDATE (Dec 2006):  Video clips (4 of) are now available for your amusement on YouTube.com.  Just search for loch ness swim idiot...

UPDATE (17 Sep 2006): This is probably the most important moment in the fund raising of this event...  There is a possibility that more than one international company may double what has been raised so far in the very near future.  Thank you so much to all those who have been involved in this (you know who you are:)  However, before this happens I need your help with another big push.  Please forward this to as many people as possible so we can milk them for every penny!!! 

UPDATE (05 Sep 2006): The money keeps pouring in!!!  Keep spreading the word.  In other news; ASPIRE are arranging their media partners to assist in promoting the swim, although I would not expect to see me in a poster campaign or such like.  It would be far too distressing for the children!!!  The Nessie-ologists seem very interested in the possible sighting. Hopefully that will help gain more sponsorship too.  Thanks!

UPDATE (26 Aug 2006): After 12 hours of swimming in 6oC water from Fort Augustus to Lochend (38km/24miles not including minor diversions due to my poor sense of direction!) my whole body still aches.  It will take longer to heal the mental scars though... it was emotional.  All I could say when I was trying to crawl out of the water was "I've been such an idiot!!!"

Thanks so much to all of you who had faith and donated early on, knowing I had already raised £1500 really helped to keep me motivated during the many dark moments of the swim but not quite as much as Harry's encouragement. 

If you have been waiting for me to complete the swim then dig deep now!  Not only was the swim a great challenge, but the charity is most deserving.  Please help me raise as much as possible by continuing to spread the word (and giving generously).

Thanks to Chris, Jonathon and Tony for providing safety during the event.  I nearly had a sense of humour failure though when Tony delivered fish and chips to the support kayak about half way!!!  There was worse to come though...  At the end of the swim they told me they thought they had seen what looked like a seal near me during the swim.  As there are no seals in Loch Ness we could only conclude that Nessie had been giving us her support (this genuinely did happen and is not an attempt to jump on the Nessie band-wagon)!!!!!!

UPDATE (22 Aug 2006): Done. More details to follow when my arms start working again!   

UPDATE (21 Aug 2006): The wind has dropped and tomorrow should see the end of this challenge!!! 

UPDATE (16 Aug 2006): Yesterday's attempt ended after 6 and a half hours. Conditions were good to start with but a strong head wind developed two hours in. As waves crested over me and the safety boat took on water the decision to abort was made.