EC Solo swim 2026, take two.

I’m in the second year of training for my solo swim from England to France. The wind blew me out in 2025 and with the extensive wait, a long taper, shorter days and cooler temps, it seemed best to take the hint and try again this summer. Summer 2026 is the 100th anniversary of the first woman to swim the Channel. I’m hopeful that I can align my swim with Gertrude Ederle’s success in 1926 and cross that Channel.

I’m also swimming for a wider cause - helping the Whittington health charity make the children’s ward at Whittington hospital a more welcoming and playful space. In 2022, my granddaughter, who was then 3 years old, had pneumonia and RSV. She was hospitalised three times with breathing difficulties and received life saving care. During repeated stays on the ward, she regained her strength using the outdoor play area, funded by Whittington health charity. As her mother reflected, “my daughter loved the wonderful outdoor play area. It was so great to have access to fresh air."

The charity is focused on updating the children’s ward. They’re putting in floor-to-ceiling interactive artwork, updating the sensory room, installing virtual reality equipment to reduce stress during some medical procedures, and improving the overnight stay facilities for parents/carers, among other projects. These will help make the space even more conducive to healing.

My granddaughter is almost 7. Both she and her younger brother enjoy swimming with their Nonna (me) and I want to encourage them and all children that the sky’s the limit when it comes to overcoming adversity.

I’ve set up this JustGiving fundraising page to encourage donations from family and friends to support the Whittington health charity in delivering compassionate care to those in their community. From my experience, community support and care make all the difference to your well being.

No amount is too small, as collectively, it all adds up! Whatever you can contribute matters, even if just sharing this page is all you can do.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. Happily you can donate in your own currency too.

Thank you for your support!