As a child on family holidays, I had crossed the English Channel many times by ferry. I knew that people had swum this crossing, and I had always thought them to be crazy. As I got older and took on my own adventures, I often wondered if I was “crazy” enough to take on the Channel swim. The thought normally crossed my mind whilst I was preparing for my next adventure, and knowing that I needed to dedicate a large amount of time to take it on, the time never seemed to be right. Whilst canyoning in Mallorca, n March/April of 2010, I sustained yet another injury. Due to my lifestyle, (blind and stupid), I get a lot of injuries, and as I get older, the injuries are taking longer to heal, and in some cases, are not likely to fully heal. So whilst hobbling around my apartment in Mallorca, I decided now was the time for the Channel. At the same time, I had been invited to take on a major trek in Nepal towards the end of the year. I had naively thought that I could do the training for both throughout 2010, and hoped to take on the Channel in 2011. But when I spoke to some Channel swimmers, I was told that this would not be a good idea. This meant that the swim would have to be put off until 2012. So, throughout the Spring and Summer of 2010, I set my plans in motion. I booked my crossing and pilot boat, I got myself a coach, and found out the basics. I was put in touch with a local swimming coach, Colleen Blair. She was highly recommended to me by the British Long Distance Swimming Association, and on meeting her, I understood why. She was very positive from the beginning, and has proven to be a huge font of knowledge, and great teacher. She swam the English Channel when she was 18, and is one of only 9 people to have swum the treacherous North Channel, from Scotland to Northern Ireland. And on the 11th of July, 2011, Colleen became the first person to swim the Pentland Firth, (in an amazing time of 4 hours and 41 minutes). 2 weeks after I returned from Nepal, I started my training. Colleen advised me that the most efficient stroke for this long distance swim would be front crawl / freestyle. My trouble with that was that I could only do front crawl for one length of a swimming pool, on a single breath. I didn’t think I would be able to hold my breath for the full 21+ miles of the English Channel. I showed Colleen my single breath, single length front crawl, and she was able to see that it may need a teeny weeny bit of work! By the end of the first training session, I was able to knock out two and half lengths of front crawl. I’m very happy to say, that I can swim a little further now. 
CHARITY As this is the biggest challenge I have taken on, so far, I felt it would be a good opportunity to use the event to raise funds for charity. I will be raising funds for SSAFA (Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen & Families Association) and PKSB (Perth & Kinross Society for the Blind). All funds will be split 50/50 between the PKSB and SSAFA. Although this challenge is going to personally cost me in excess of £3,500, please be assured that all funds raised through Virgin Money Giving will go directly to the charities. 
CHARITIES | 
