Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. Donating through JustGiving is totally secure and your donation goes directly to The Whitechapel Centre.

I've chosen The Whitechapel Centre because it is a locally based and well established homeless charity that has a proud 40 year history of working with some of the most socially and economically disadvantaged people living in our Merseyside communities. Whilst tackling homelessness is the core focus of the charity, Whitechapel's services include working with street drinkers, homeless families and families that have multiple problems that put them at risk of homelessness. It also provides outreach and follow-on support for individuals who have been resettled and works closely with the statutory health and social services and other charities to deal with increasingly pressing issues of mental health and substance misuse.

Whitechapel raises funds in a variety of ways including a charity shop and bidding for contracts from the statutory sector but some of its cutting edge and innovative services, often with the most disadvantaged, relies on public support and financial assistance.

I'm a trustee of the charity and therefore have first hand knowledge of the way the charity uses its funding - it is a superbly run organisation that makes sure it gets the most from its limited resources - in all, a local charity that I believe deserves its well established reputation as a leading local agency.

Many of you have already generously supported myself (and Dominique Bertrand) for our 2014 and 2015 endurance swims and this one (2016 calendar year) which I'm completing by myself (my last I hope!) is the most demanding.  It requires maintaining an average of 15K per week and as of September I'm on course but the next 4 months during the winter will be the most demanding - your support and interest will therefore be most welcome and provide the necessary impetus to finish!  As with previous swims, it is curtesy of Liverpool University Sports Centre pool with the occasional foray into the briny waters of the Liverpool Queens dock.