Crossing Windermere for Oxford Otters Swimming Club

This Sunday I will be swimming the lenght of Windermere, which will be about 10 miles or 17km... I made this decision in the spur of the moment last winter...it was 10 months away, no problem. As time passed I realised this was somewhat out of my comfort zone, but hey, why not. As it drew even closer, I realised I wasn't looking forward to it anymore : I love swimming, I love spending time in the water, a lot, but I like swimming with people and being part of a team, and training for this would mean a lot of swimming alone - not very me. I did try to offer my place to a few friends, who nicely declined (thanks guys). So, in the end, I decided that what would motivate me to go ahead with it, despite the lack of appropriate training, was to do it for a purpose! There is one little man, living next door, who's been struggling with CRPS for a few months. He has been in acute pain, a lot! It's been hard on him and his family! Recovery from CRPS is long and slow and pain hasn't really gone away much lately, but he's fighting on. He's the one who has motivated me to get on with it! (Eventhough he doesn't know it!) This Sunday, he's gonna go and join the Oxford Otters Swimming Club for the first time! By then I should be about half-way through Windermere. I'll be thinking of you Bryn and hoping your pool is warmer than mine ;) The Oxford Otter Swimming Club has been established since 1967 to offer disabled (permanently or temporarily) swimmng facilities for all ages and gender in a friendly atmosphere. Memebers cover a wide range of disabilities and medical conditions and the club welcomes their carers, families and friends. They have a great bunch of volunteers providing help in and out of the water. They are a small group of about 50 and they are not registered as an official charity but they can always do with a little help. At the moment they are looking to buy additional swimming and floating aids to allow more people to enjoy the pool. They have already raised £300 and looking for £300 more. I'd love to be able to breach the gap! Would you sponsor me so I can add to their kitty? You can donate now, or wait till I finish or attempt to anyway. Conditions are looking pretty good in the lakes on Sunday, but it will be very cold! I'll be wearing a wetsuit but still, I'm pretty much expecting to lose feet and hands within the first hour (15 degree water does that to me) but carry on for another good 4h at least. This is not gonna be easy but I think it's now worth it! Every little helps... :) Thanks a lot in advance and see you on the other side (that's the North West side ;))     X X X