In a little over six weeks time I will be taking on the Galway Bay Swim, a 13km swim from north County Clare across Galway Bay - and some deep, cold and jellyfishy (!) waters - all the way to the Blackrock Diving Tower in Salthill.

This will involve me swimming a lot farther and for longer than I have ever done before. It's a bit of a daunting challenge.

But it's a challenge that I am committed to seeing through because I am doing it to raise money for Cancer Care West - a charity that's close to my heart. As you might know, my father passed away from lymphoma several years ago. Indeed, it seems as if there are few families today who have not been affected by cancer in some way.

Cancer Care West provides support for cancer patients and their families in the West of Ireland and is a more than worthy cause. When something does go wrong, I can tell you the structures of an organisation like this and the support provided are invaluable to those affected in what is a time of enormous stress. It is very easy to take for granted our health and that of our loved ones without appreciating how fragile it can be in the face of cancer.

Cancer Care West needs our support: it relies heavily on charitable donations to function. So, I'm going to do my bit and hopefully inspire you to reflect on its valuable work and to help out by sponsoring me and cheering me on come swim day on 23rd July!

You can find out more about the swim on the event website: http://www.galwaybayswim.com/

Many Thanks

Rodger