We did it!!!

16 hours 23 mins of swimming, arriving in France at around 0130 GMT on Sun 28th Sept....what an experience

Photos and more details to follow later this week

Martin

Hi....thanks for visiting my fund raising page!

During w/c 22nd September 2008 (will probably be Tue 23rd weather and tides permitting) I will set off with 5 other swimmers from Dover and attempt a relay crossing of the English channel to France. Even as I type this now, I still can't fully believe I got talked into doing this (thanks Carole!), a thought that is reinforced everytime I walk into the cold waters of Dover harbour for another training session!

So, what's involved....basically our team of 6 will leave the UK at around 0230 in the morning and start the swim to France in complete darkness (optimal tides apparently!). For the relay swim to be recognised as 'official', we have to pre-name our swimming order and stick to it, wear nothing more than speedos, goggles, a swimming hat and some vasoline, as sea water is very abrasive. Each team member then takes their turn to swim a full hour before 'handing over' to the next victim! The swimming ability of the team is very mixed to say the least, so we are reckoning on the crossing taking up to 20 hours, with each member of the team swimming 3 times.

If that doesn't sound silly enough, add to that a water temperature of around 16 degrees C, jellyfish, 600 tankers/200 ferries usng the channel daily, waves/swell of up to 2 metres in height (relay teams get given rougher conditions than solo swimmers), coping with 5 hours of sea sickness in-between swims (my biggest fear) and you will probably think I have lost my mind.....I do too!

So, why am I doing this? Close friends and family will know that I have tried to find an exit door to all this on several occasions as I'm a strong believer in knowing your own limits. However, several other potential swimmers have already had to pull out of the challenge after failing the strict medical that we all had to go through, meaning ChildLine are now down to minimum numbers for this event to go ahead....basically there are no reserve swimmers to take my place!

Knowing this is all for a really worthy cause is about my only motivation when walking into Dover harbour every other weekend at the moment, so any support you can give through sponsoring me will be greatly appreciated (see details below). Quite simply, the more money I raise, the more calls ChildLine can answer and the more children in distress can get much needed help & counselling.....so please sponsor me if you can!

Thanks

Martin 'speedoman' Pilcher

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: ChildLine will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.