Polly, pictured second left, is swimming across the English Channel as part of a relay team on 14^th June 2017. In a team of six, Polly will swim for an hour in rotation with her other team mates until they reach Calais.

The challenge, also known as ‘the Everest of swimming’, covers approximately 22 miles of sea in one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world. Polly, who is a member of the Masters Swimming Club in Ealing, is swimming up to four times a week to prepare for the swim as well as juggling family life with two young daughters.

She says: “It’s the ultimate swimming challenge. Not only will the distance be tricky, but I am having to learn to acclimatise to the cold.” The English Channel will be chilly 15 degrees when Polly swims in June, compared to most indoor swimming pools that are usually 28 degrees. Her training includes a regular morning swim in the Serpentine in Hyde Park which is 11 degrees. She says “I certainly get some odd looks when the shivers kick in when I am on the tube to work afterwards.”

Polly surpassed her fundraising target of £3,000 and has raised over £4,300 so far. She said: “I have had so much support from people for this swim – people really are impressed– the Channel is one of those iconic challenges that draws people from across the world.”

“I have had so much support from people for this swim – people really are impressed– the Channel is one of those iconic challenges that draws people from across the world.”

Polly’s fundraising will transform someone’s life with a spinal cord injury. Her fundraising alone will help pay for a lightweight wheelchair for someone with a spinal cord injury which will enable them to regain their independence after their injury.

Polly says: “I attended the Aspire Assessment day and was bowled over at the really important rehabilitation work they do for people with Spinal Cord Injury. Meeting people who have worked their way back to independent living with the help of Aspire was fantastic. I am really proud to be raising money for their work.”

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