Why I'm Swimming

My sister was supposed to take part in the Great London Swim last Saturday (31 Aug 13) but unfortunately due to complications from her illness (colitis) and a difficult recovery from major surgery, she had to give up her place as she began her 6th consecutive week in hospital :-(

So I had this crazy idea and before my brain could catch up with me I'd already text her saying "let's do it together next year"... Then I realised I haven't actually really been swimming since primary school and that was about *cough* 20 *cough* years ago! And I'm not exactly fit... And 30 is just around the corner!

But anyway, I've decided I'm going to do it, 1 mile in open water, and I have 1 year to train for it! This is my challenge and I accept it! 

It will be hard, there's a strong possibility that I may nearly drown a few times along the way but if the thought of me wading in to the Thames in my wetsuit encourages people to dig deep and I can raise a bit of money so that St. Marks can do more research in to bowel disorders and help more people like my sister it will all be worth it... Every last soggy hair, chlorine stringy eyed, splash, splash, splosh of it!