I have been outdoor swimming since I was tiny. I grew up in Tanzania and then Dubai and was always swimming in the sea and rivers/streams (wadis) in the Arab Emirates. Throughout my adult life outdoor swimming has always featured and I get in water at any opportunity! 

I have done many outdoor swimming events, mostly related to fundraising. Swimming in rivers, lakes and sea from 2 km events to 10km events. But I also just enjoy 'dipping' and a few years ago I did 100 dips in 100 days challenge in the winter months.

Open water swimming is how I feel close to nature, and it brings me a feeling of freedom and fun! It’s the best way for me to de-stress. Being in a body of water stimulates all senses and this brings you right into the present moment. I love that the sea/river can give you a different experience every time you swim. 

I found out about Aspire when looking for opportunities to do some more challenging swims, while fundraising. I had also had a close friend who had a Spinal Cord Injury and so I was very aware of the huge and life changing impact this has, and the important work Aspire does in these challenging circumstances. Also I am a physiotherapist and I have worked with people that have had spinal cord injuries. I have seen first hand the massive effect it has on someone and their life.

Sealand Swim

I was so excited to have the opportunity to swim Sealand in 2023 with Aspire. My parents, aunts, uncles and cousins live in Felixstowe and I had many a happy holiday at my Grandparent’s beach hut on Felixstowe Beach. I had looked out at Sealand hundreds of times so to be able to swim from this distant platform seven miles out at sea and finish on the beach adjacent to my Grandparents beach hut was very special.

My experience of swimming with Aspire has been absolutely brilliant! I have a very healthy regard for the sea and so my first priority was safety. I know this is also a priority with Aspire, and I had 100% trust in our boat driver, Paul and Andrew. They are also really organised, making sure we were well informed and supported us with advice about fundraising. I swam Sealand in a relay with my sister and we were affectionately nicknamed 'The Sealand Sisters!'

Relay Channel Swim

After my Sealand swim, I really wanted to do another swim with Aspire.  I have always wanted to swim the Channel  - its iconic! Swimming it as a relay really appealed to me because I wanted to have fun with the challenge and be able to share the experience with others who were also excited to do it. I am really pleased that my sister Jackie is also in my relay team. 

This is a big one for me, and in my 50th year it’s going to be a challenge but I know I can do it!

Training

One of my Christmas presents was to have a swim stroke video analysis session with a professional coach. This was brilliant and has helped improve aspects of my stroke to make me more efficient. So I have been building up my training gradually in the pool. I have also been doing some very cold dips in the sea through the winter when I can.

I love being part of the team. We are Aspire Badgers and are from all over the country. Everyone seems really nice and I am looking forward to meeting them in May for our first swim weekend in Dover.

Our boat Leader Laura has been really great. She set up a WhatsApp group for us all to message and share how are doing. We have had a couple of Zoom calls, where we could get more information and tips from Laura, but also to hear how we are all doing and any concerns or worries we have. It’s even better that I have Jackie my sister in the same team.

I think Laura’s best advice has been to plan and be as organised as possible. It’s in my nature to be a bit last minute with things, but thinking about planning fundraising activities and training in advance has helped me keep on track. I don't want to let my team down! So this is a real motivation to keep pushing with training and fundraising.

I am a mixture of feeling nervous and excited for the swim, but I am really looking forward to the experience and challenge that it will be I have never swum next to a boat in the middle of the sea at night, or sat on a bobbing boat for five hours - and then swimming when I am likely to be feeling a bit queasy will be a challenge too!

Fundraising

I really worried about being able to fundraise the amount of money asked, but I have been quite structured and planned out how I am going to do it, and when.  The advice and guidance given to us by Aspire has been really helpful.  I am currently achieving the milestones I set for myself - so far so good!

As well as asking for donations, I have been running Physio assessment clinics once every two weeks. I advertised this on my local Village Facebook group and in some other local groups. I asked for a minimum donation straight to my JustGiving page and they get a 45 min Physio appointment. I am also running a local raffle with the choir I sing with. One of the ideas shared by Aspire was a cartoon image of the Channel split into many boxes with the question 'Where am I?' Each box can be sold for a small donation I am using this at work, where people are less likely to give a larger donation but would give me a few pounds. It all counts!  I am also doing some car boot sales in next few months as with three teenagers we have a loft full of toys, clothes and games no longer used!

It really means a lot to me to be fundraising for Aspire as one of my good friends sustained a spinal cord injury following a cycling collision. He was a keen swimmer and triathlete and following the injury his life was completely changed. The money that we raise for Aspire will literally change people's lives. Not only the person with the injury, but their families, friends and colleagues. It feels good to be doing something so worthwhile and contributing to such an important charity.

Sponsor Lizzie

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