As a few of you may know this year I have squeezed myself into neoprene and thrown myself into cold murky lakes to train in preparation for a series of open water swimming races. The challenge a mile in the fastest time. The first event was completed this Saturday when I took part in the Great London Swim, competing against 5000 swimmers in Albert Docks. The finishing time 29 mins 31 sec coming 488 out of 5 thousand swimmers and 18th in my age group. The pictures say it all. 
The next two events, and hoping to clock a better time being the Heart of England and the Great North Swim in Lake Windermere in September.
There is a serious side to why I am doing it, and that is to raise much needed charity support for The British Heart Foundation. The team I swim with do these events in memory of a great friend Mark who died of heart disease at the age of 41. Mark himself was the 8th fastest British swimmer to cross the English Channel. In 2005 whilst coaching another swimmer to take on the challenge of the channel he suffered a massive heart attack off the coast of France. He was truly the life and soul.
The British Heart Foundation needs your support to help save lives, through pioneering research and providing vital information to help people reduce their own heart health risks. Another great reason to take to the water. I cannot work for an Outdoor Retail specialist without practicing a little of what I preach.
Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving and the money goes straight to where it is needed the charity make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer.
What ever you can spare will all go to this valuable cause and help spur me on further to pull on that wetsuit and take the plunge.
 
Thank you all,
 
Nicky