On 15th December last year, Dave lost his wife and soulmate of 40 years; six girls lost their best friend and 11 (now 12) grandchildren lost the Granny who loved them more than anything in the world.  She had just turned 61.  

Terminal illness is one of the most difficult things in life to face as a family.  You can't even start to comprehend how the one who is ill is feeling but the worry and stress is physically exhausting for everyone.  You start to grieve before death as you know what you are about to lose but don't know when.  

The hospice is the kind of place you don't know exists until you need it. They gave my mum the peace and dignity she deserved,  alongside the treatment she needed in the weeks before she died. They made it a happier place for all those who needed to be there. They offered support and advice to those who didn't know what to do or how to cope.  They comfort and continue to reach out to those that might be hurting at difficult times of the year, like Christmas.  They are also a charity who can't exist without donations from others.  Only around 25% of funding is received from the government, the rest comes from fundraising.

In the weeks before she died, mum being mum, wanted so much to be able to give something back to St Raphaels.  I suggested Mark could swim the channel (he had no say!) and she loved the idea.  

So in the past few months - training has started, the boat and captain have been booked (August 2016) and the countdown for Mark (who couldn't swim when we met!) to swim to France is on.

The shortest distance for Mark to swim will be 21 miles - but on either side of Cap Gris Nez, the French Coastline drops away, AND the current moves you many miles from side to side as the Tide ebbs and flows. Most swimmers end up clocking up closer to 30 miles. It isn't just the distance that is the challenge, but more, the variable conditions that you are likely to encounter. These may vary for mirror like conditions to wind force 6 and wave heights in excess of 2 metres. The water is cold (yes even in August it will be freezing and you are not allowed to wear a wetsuit) and there is a good chance of meeting jellyfish, seaweed and the occasional plank of wood. It is one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world with 600 tankers passing through and 200 ferries/seacats and other vessels going across daily.

All costs of the swim have been paid for privately so 100% of donations will go to the hospice with no reimbursement taken for any costs.

Please help us to remember our mum in this special way but to also help all the other families that maybe will one day need to visit and be looked after by St Raphaels

Anna xx

Ps we are also holding a charity raffle in May if anyone is able to donate a prize!