For the past 3 years I have been studying and writing up reports on my team's work, structured through a Master of Science degree in Business Improvement at the Ulster Business School.

Any time I was at University I parked by the shore looking across the lough to familiar places. The fresh air of the lough gave me energy then.

I now want to recognize completing the Masters course and also raise £500. The money will go towards a drive to self fund volunteering opportunities at the Corrymeela Center of Reconciliation. 500 people each raising £500: Volunteering at Corrymeela, like the recent MSc was also a time of deep :) learning.

The goal of swimming the lough, which is about 5 Km, has kept me focused. My good buddy David Baxter is joining me from Dublin for the swim. We have a capable safety boat arranged under the captaincy of the very responsible Nigel Hagen with able support from RNLI volunteer Mark Rebbeck, Max and svelt-like Bear.

Plenty of thought and preparation are going in to the effort, with practice swims in Donegal, Strangford and the Lough itself.

Sure, if my granny did this and more with her sister when they were 14 years old, I am sure it can be done by 2 strapping men.

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