With a significant birthday fast approaching, I decided that I could forego all the bounteous gifts, cards and tributes that would surely(?) be coming my way, in favour of raising some funds for my favourite charity.

To mark the occasion, I will therefore be undertaking a continuous swim of 1.875kms (you do the maths), and hope that family and friends will spare a little money to sponsor me, for the benefit of Teddies for Loving Care.

TLC Surrey provides teddy bears to 10 children’s A&E departments throughout Surrey. I regularly deliver to East Surrey Hospital, and help to raise funds in the meantime. The bears are used by medical staff to calm children down in upsetting circumstances, reward them for being brave, or to demonstrate procedures.

I plan to complete the swim sometime over Easter weekend, subject to lane availability. Each donation equivalent to 10p per length (more maths), plus Gift Aid, would go some way to provide bears for the comfort of four more distressed children. Lesser or greater donations are of course most welcome.

Thank you in advance for your generosity, it means a lot!