"Swimming is a great form of exercise; it not only helps boost strength and stamina but keeps your heart and lungs fit too. Combined with a healthy diet swimming is a great way to shed any extra pounds and to tone the body. Swimming can burn around 400 calories an hour, and can be done by everyone of any age. So if you want to kick start your diet then take part in the 10th annual Aspire Channel Swim. By taking part in the Aspire Channel Swim you’ll not only be helping yourself but people with spinal cord injuries too."

Rosemary Conley

"Join me by signing up to the Aspire Channel Swim 2009. You will become fitter as well as helping to make a big difference by supporting people with spinal injuries. Swimming is one of the best forms of exercise and it can be done by almost everyone. Swimming on a regular basis increases stamina and keeps your heart and lungs healthy too".

Mark Foster 6 times World Swimming Champion

 

“I am aware of the hard work the charity Aspire puts into patients with spinal cord injuries and want to add to their efforts. Please join me in supporting the annual Aspire Channel Swim 2009. Best of luck for all of you who take part in the Aspire Channel Swim 2009. Enjoy, but remember no bombing and only minor heavy petting allowed!”

Dermot O’Leary, TV Presenter

 

"As a Rugby player, I know only too well the effects a spinal injury can have on someone. Rugby is a game where spinal injury is a very real threat. That is why I am supporting Aspire in this amazing campaign. It is the 10th Anniversary of the Aspire Channel Swim so get out to your local pools and take part; it is a great challenge for all ages. If you think you can swim the distance of the English Channel in your own swimming pool then join up to take part. Aspire’s work is critical to the rehabilitation of people suffering from spinal injuries".

Lawrence Dallaglio MBE

"The Aspire Channel Swim is a fantastic event for people of all ages and abilities. If you love to swim or would like a new challenge for 2009, please join me by signing up for the Aspire Channel Swim 2009. Aspire is a national charity providing practical support, funding and advice to people with spinal cord injuries, so every penny raised really does count."

Julia Bradbury - TV Presenter

"Join me in supporting the 10th Aspire Channel Swim. This year Aspire hopes to raise over £500,000 to ensure that people with spinal cord injuries have many of their immediate and future needs met, so that they can continue to live their lives as independently as possible. Sign up today and good luck to everyone who takes part in Aspire Channel Swim 2009"

Gail Porter - TV Presenter

"The Aspire Channel Swim is a fantastic challenge which can be done by people of all ages and fitness abilities. I have been swimming my whole life and love the sport. Join me in supporting this annual swimming event which you can take part in as a team or really splash out and go it alone. You will not only be getting fitter but also raising awareness for Aspire, the country’s leading spinal cord injury charity dedicated to supporting and rehabilitating people with Spinal Injuries".

Sharron Davies MBE

Double Commonwealth Gold and Olympic Swimming Champion

"Bath Rugby Club is supporting the 10th Anniversary of the Aspire Channel Swim. The team is encouraging the public to make a splash this year and make the 10th annual swim the biggest and best yet. As Rugby players we are all aware of just how easy it is to get a spinal injury, the work Aspire does is vital to help people with spinal injuries lead more independent and fulfilling lives, so join us by supporting Aspire and take part in the Aspire Channel Swim 2009."

Bath Rugby Club

"The Bristol Rugby Club is supporting the 10th Anniversary of the Aspire Channel Swim. Spinal Cord Injury has a devastating effect on the 1,200 people who become paralysed each year. Aspire offers practical support to the 40,000 people living with a spinal cord injury in the UK so that they can lead fulfilled and independent lives. Aspire offers vital support to people when they need it most, we are encouraging people to help support Aspire by doing the Aspire Channel Swim 2009."

Bristol Rugby Club

"I took part in the Aspire Channel Swim 2008 last year to raise money and awareness for Aspire. I had a horrific car accident whilst filming on location in Spain in 2004 for "A Place in the Sun". Knowing how close I came to losing the use of my legs has made me determined to take on this challenge again this year and raise money for those who aren't as lucky as I was."

Victoria Hollingsworth, TV Presenter

38 year old Alison Graham used to weigh almost 20 stone, she has shed over half her body weight - 10st 1lb - by developing a love of swimming as well as following a sensible eating programme.

Alison says, "I have always struggled with my weight, I took the step to change my life by joining Rosemary Conley Diet and Fitness Clubs. I saw the Aspire Channel Swim Challenge advertised in a Rosemary Conley magazine and decided to take part. The challenge changed my life, through healthy eating and exercise I was able to lose so much weight. The Aspire Channel Swim is a great challenge, everyone can take part. If you want to make a change to your life for the better then take part in the 10th Aspire Channel Swim this year".

Alison Graham, Rosemary Conley

Slimmer of the Year 2007 runner up