Al’s Swimming

Channel Challenge ‘08

In September 2008 I will be attempting to swim across the English Channel - I’m anticipating this will take me in the ‘teens’ of hours, but a useful anology I was given  asked ‘if you were to put your washing out next week, how long would it take to dry?’ Asides from having to talk to myself for that long, there are various other ‘perils’ such as timing the tides, hypothermia (no wetsuits allowed), jellyfish, shipping lanes and of course preventing Greenpeace from trying to ’save me’ when I beach! Although people have their suspicions as to why I want to do it (getting to Beerfest without paying for a flight, appearing on The David Letterman Show afterwards or having David Grohl buy me a beer), it’s actually to raise money for a wonderful charity called Make-A-Wish Foundation. They have a very simple objective - to grant the wishes of children, aged between 3 and 17, living with life-threatening illnesses. I’ve come up with the crazy way to fund raise for it, they can have the zany idea spending it!

Make-A-Wish Foundation has no cures to offer and all too often the endings are sad, but during desperate times when there seems to be no hope, Make-A-Wish steps in and provides positive, and uplifting relief. Most of all, a wish granted brings a time of magic and joy, for special children and their families. I am hoping that by raising funds and awareness for Make-A-wish Foundation it will make a special dream come true for a child who really deserves it.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Make-A-Wish Foundation UK will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

Thanks for reading this far and I really would welcome your sponsorship. Big or small, every little helps.

Many thanks for your support.

Alistair