This year will be my sixth Aspire Channel Swim. I enjoy the challenge because I love swimming – it’s my calm and happy place. I’m also motivated to support Aspire through something I love; I do it every year in memory of my mum who passed away in 2018. 

Sign up to the Aspire Channel Swim

My mum suffered a serious spinal cord injury falling downstairs at home. She passed away eight months later as her breathing was severely compromised by her injury.  When mum was at the Stanmore Spinal Injury Centre she benefited from the facilities at the Aspire Leisure Centre and from the assistive technology provided by Aspire.  As she was unable to move her hands and her vocal cords were also compromised, she relied on the assistive technology from Aspire to stay in touch with us. It made such a huge difference to her as she was able to keep in touch with her family and friends. Without it she would have felt incredibly lonely and isolated. 

I want to do something positive to remember my mum and the swim allows me to do this while also supporting a charity which supported her. 

I love swimming so I really enjoy swimming 22 miles.  Swimming has been a huge part of my life since I was a child so although 22 miles is challenging, I love being in the water.  I swim for my mental health – it keeps me calm and allows me to de-stress.  Water is incredibly calming and swimming allows me to completely switch off from work and life admin. 

I have signed up again this year because I’d like to make it an annual thing, continuing to support Aspire and the amazing work they do. And having to swim 22 miles means I can’t talk myself out of a swim!   For those taking on the Aspire Channel Swim for the first time this year I’d say enjoy the benefits of being in the water – see it like a moving meditation!

I find it tough asking people to donate so I tend to just ask close friends and family and this year, I’m trying to get my young daughter involved in coming up with ideas like selling cakes or lemonade. 

Having the experience of my mum and a close friend who has a spinal cord injury, I understand the challenges faced by those with spinal cord injuries and how the work Aspire does can support with mitigating the impact of those challenges. 

Sponsor Kathleen

Aspire Channel Swimmer stories

Sign up to the Aspire Channel Swim

How we help