I decided to take on the Aspire Channel Swim because I had spinal surgery and want to support a spinal injury charity. I thought I would have to be in a wheelchair as things were so bad with my spine and being an ex-Moulin Rouge dancer, my legs meant the world to me.

I have always swum, but now I just swim two to three times a week. I used to swim at the Thatched Barn in Borehamwood – the only Outdoor Olympic pool that was left in the UK for years – but isn’t there anymore.  Now I swim at Everyone Active Woodside Watford. 

I feel like I was born to swim.  I love the underwater feeling of being ‘free’.  I swim for fitness but my goal in taking on the Swim is to help Aspire, it’s not really about me.  Since my spinal surgery I feel as though sometimes my legs don’t quite work properly, get pain and my feet don’t point as well, and sometimes I get cramp after about 30 lengths. 

When I’m fundraising, I do get embarrassed to ask for money but I just have to bite the bullet and do it. I am old school so print off a form to give to my swimmer friends and have also used email and sent the link to some others

Raising funds to support people with spinal cord injuries is something that is close to my heart as I really feel for those that are not as lucky as I am now.  I swim and go to the gym and feel lucky not to be in a wheelchair.

Sponsor Melanie

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