I found out about the Aspire Channel Swim in Slimming World magazine. I saw it and thought it could be win-win so set myself up online in minutes. That was it – I was committed!  I thought it would be the push I need to do some exercise and support a very worthwhile cause.

I’m a really poor and slow swimmer so this really is a challenge for me. I don’t particularly enjoy swimming – I’m slow and I hate going under - but it’s a good form of exercise. 

Swimming at my speed I’ll never lose weight but I’m hoping it will improve my fitness.  Having to swim 22 miles in 12 weeks means I need to swim 26 lengths, 5 days a week for 12 weeks, which is a goal in its own right.  I swim at Larkfield Leisure Centre in Kent.

I find fundraising the easy bit. Friends and colleagues have been really supportive and so far I’ve raised over £900.  I’m very pushy and I think people feel sorry for me!!  Social media makes it so much easier - I ask people to sponsor me on Facebook and LinkedIn as well as in person.

I’m glad I’ve raised so much to support people with spinal cord injuries. I can’t imagine how someone must feel when one minute everything is great and the next their whole life has changed. Anything I can do to help try and make their new life a bit easier is what this is about to me.

I’m grateful for all the support I’m getting and I’ll make sure to keep everyone updated with my progress so they know how hard I’m working for their hard earned sponsorship. 

Sponsor Debbie

Aspire Channel Swimmer stories

Sign up to the Aspire Channel Swim

How we help