Thank you for clicking on the link and reading this page. I really appreciate it. I'm raising money for the Sussex Dolphin Project, who are currently trying to raise enough to fund their own research boat to better understand and protect marine life in the English Channel. Your donation will go to the World Cetacean Alliance (WCA) who support the Sussex Dolphin Project, as their flagship UK community project.

Sometime around the week of September 1st I will be attempting to swim the English Channel solo - a 22 mile open water swim between England and France. Would you believe it? This is a 50th birthday present from my darling wife Leonie. It says a lot that she entered me for one of the toughest endurance events in the world. Either she thinks I need a lot to get rid of me, knows my resilience in the face of a challenge, or just knows that I’ll take any excuse for a meal in France - take your pick!

This year marks the 150th anniversary of the first recorded solo crossing by Captain Matthew Webb. For the uninitiated, this means I’ll be following strict traditional rules: only wearing a swim cap, earplugs, and a swimsuit (yes, speedos!). No wetsuit, and no touching the pilot boat, doing so would mean immediate disqualification.

You might associate the Channel with tankers, ferries, jellyfish, and floating debris - but did you know there’s actually a resident population of bottlenose dolphins and porpoises in the eastern Channel? Even the occasional whale makes an appearance. In fact, a friend of mine was lucky enough to swim alongside dolphins during his successful solo this summer!

There is so much we don't know about these wonderful mammal cousins, and we need to help keep them in their home. The Sussex Dolphin Project is working hard to do just that - and they’re currently trying to raise enough money to fund their own research boat.

I’d love for my swim to help make that boat, and all this vital research, a reality.

If you’re able, please consider donating - any amount helps. Together, we can protect these magnificent creatures and ensure they continue to thrive in their natural home.

The WCA is supporting their partner Sussex Dolphin Project in its aim to protect marine life in the English Channel - the WCA will receive a small part of your donation.

Sussex Dolphin Project is an organisation based in Brighton, UK dedicated to understanding and protecting the whales, dolphins and porpoises off the Sussex Coast through research, awareness and education programs within the local community.

Our first focus is the Channel’s cetaceans. These iconic animals are still poorly understood, and as sightings and interactions with boats increase off the coast, we’re more determined than ever to protect these magnificent creatures. With a dedicated boat, we’ll not only deepen our research but also promote respectful and responsible encounters. This boat will be a powerful tool for our team, enabling us to create videos and educational resources to raise awareness of these animals, and the importance of responsible interactions.

Another key part of the project is dedicated to humpback whales. These giants occasionally pass through the eastern Channel, and every sighting is a valuable scientific opportunity. SDP will collect photo-identification and behavioural data, which is then shared with Happy Whale — a global database and partner of WCA. By contributing to this international network, we can track individual whales across oceans, build a clearer picture of their migration routes, and strengthen collaborative conservation efforts worldwide.

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. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.