Since being a child I have always loved the water and over my adult years I have discovered open water swimming. I have been lucky enough to swim in some amazing events from 10k’s in the Docks to half marathons in the River Thames but the challenge of swimming the channel is enormous. Alongside 5 other swimmers ( one of whom is only 12 years old ! ) we are attempting the crossing in June 2025 as a relay team. With so many factors having to be right from the weather, the tides, let alone the horrendous sea sickness from the boat the swimming will be the least of my worries !! I am partaking in this challenge to raise money for the Hope at Home charity they support survivors of modern slavery. Survivors are vulnerable: having faced exploitation (forced to work for no or little pay, sexual or criminal exploitation and/or forced marriage), many survivors are left facing homelessness. They may have been trafficked and often have little to no support.

At Hope at Home, we believe that no survivor of slavery should ever have to sleep on the streets. We train and support volunteer hosts to welcome a survivor into their homes, preventing homelessness and re-trafficking. We believe that everyone deserves a safe home.