Kim to Swim English Channel For MD Tas.

Hi there!

Thanks for following my journey.

I'm a 60 year old Tasmanian and have announced my intention to swim the English Channel for Muscular Dystrophy Tasmania.

My swim has been booked for the week beginning 11^th September 2017, beginning in Dover, England and concluding at Cap Gris Nez, France; an estimated 12+ hours and 34+ kilometres later.

Possible obstacles facing me include sea temperatures as low as 14 degrees Celsius, wave height up to 2 metres, strong tides and all in one of the busiest water highways in the world.

I  announced my  intention almost a year prior to the actual swim so that my progress can be followed on facebook. Training has been under way now since Christmas 2015, when I  first made my  family aware of my intentions. Over the last 12 months I have registered with the Channel Swimming Association, signed a contract with Dover based boat Captain Andy King on the Louise Jane, and started putting together a support crew for the voyage across the channel, as well as incorporating my long distance swimming training into his triathlon training program. Just last Monday, 23rd April, I completed the final task to qualify by swimming for 6 hours in water temperature of 15.5C at Coles Bay.

I’ve had great support from family and friends after I shared the plan. It’s been quite overwhelming in fact, members of my family have committed to playing a role in my support crew and my triathlon training partner, Paul Gambles, has taken on the role of manager / coach. I think I’ll be the third Tasmanian to attempt a solo swim after Anne Steele 2007 and Hamish Hall who made a successful crossing in September last year. I can’t wait for the year to go. Swimming all those kilometres and cold water acclimatising activities presents the challenge I’m pursuing.

Why am I doing this?

 This is an ambition I have held from when I was a competitor at the Scottsdale Swimming Club back in the 1960’s, and it also presents an opportunity to give back to society at the same time.

I have a sister-in-law, Rachel, who has a Muscular Dystrophy condition. The effects on her physical capabilities are slowly progressing, as is typical for this condition. However, her mental strength and attitude to life are an inspiration for her immediate and extended families.

I asked myself what could I do for her and after discussions with Rachel and other family members, we decided that using my already planned swim would be an excellent way to draw  the communities focus to the condition and raise some desperately needed funds at the same time.

Little does she know how much her mental strength has directly affected me and allowed me to achieve my half and full Ironman goals over the last 3 years! Here presents an opportunity for me to complete an extreme physical event that I hope will deliver a positive outcome for her and those who are fighting this medical condition.

Only 1415 people since 1875 have completed a solo English Channel swim and over 4000 climbers have conquered Mount Everest since the first successful attempt in 1953. These two extreme events would be considered to be two of the most difficult of all physical pursuits that humans attempt. However, for many people with such medical conditions as MD,  it is far more challenging living from day to day and they are far more deserving of our adulation. I will consider it a privilege to attempt this crossing of the English Channel for all those individuals.

 If you choose to donate the money it will go directly into an account overseen by the board of Muscular Dystrophy Tasmania and will be used for everyday living needs for Tasmanians. Donations for research are very valuable for a long term solution to the condition, but it is my intention to contribute to those individuals who are already living with the symptoms.   

I'm diving into the deep end of the English Channel and fundraising for a cause that's close to my heart. I’d appreciate any contribution that you think appropriate.

Donations made through this platform are secure and will be remitted directly through to Muscular Dystrophy Tasmania . Six percent will be taken from your donation to cover the service fees of this page, hence 94% of your donation will go directly to MD Tas. You will receive a receipt at the time of donating, which can then be used for tax purposes.

Thank you so much for your consideration and support. Please catch up with me on facebook (Kim White - Future Channel Swimmer) to follow my journey.

Cheers,

Kim.