Thank you for clicking on the link and reading this page. I really appreciate it.

Sometime around the week of August 22nd I will be attempting to swim The Channel as a solo swimmer. That's a 22 mile swim between England and France. During the swim I am not allowed to touch the pilot vessel or I will be disqualified. I am swimming without a wetsuit and the water temperature will be "bracing". It is an awfully long way to swim and is, without doubt, one of the toughest endurance events in the world.

Those of you that know me will remember that 11 years ago I swam the Channel as part of the Arch to Arc. Except that I didn't.... Strict Channel swimming rules mean that no swim will be officially ratified if there are any artificial aids used. The rules of the Arch 2 Arc allowed a wetsuit, the rules of Channel swimming do not.

Over the years that has begun to niggle. Now 60 years old I feel I am ready for one attempt on the Channel and one last fundraiser. The prospect is daunting (okay, let's not mince words - it scares me). But I would love to say that I have really swum the Channel and in so doing have helped many people.

The cause? Of course it is Aspire, the charity for which I have worked for 13 years and that helps paralysed people move from their injury to lead as independent life as is possible. It does great things and your donation will help it to continue with its work.

I would, as ever, be hugely grateful for any support that you could give me. It would mean a huge amount. One of the things that I do when my head is in the water for so many hours is think about my sponsors; who they are, how I know them, what they might be doing whilst I am swimming and that helps keep me sane. So not only would you be donating to a great cause, but you'd be helping me mentally.

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.