The Things You Do For Your Kids!

My 8 year old daughter came to me last Friday and asked if she could take part in the Swimathon 2012 challenge to raise money for Marie Curie.

Not wanting to dampen her spirits, I said I'd look into it. The minimum distance of 1 mile (64 lengths of a 25m pool) was going to be too much for her on her own. So, not one to be discouraged, she came up with the bright idea of mammy and daddy taking part too. But 64 lengths for the 3 of us wasn't going to be much of a challenge. So guess what? We're doing the 5k team challenge instead! That's 200 lengths...eek. And, you only get to enter the water once so it's not like we can swim then have a break then swim again!

It's a long, long time since either Andrew or I have done any distance swimming so our training started in earnest tonight.

Whilst Elize was having her usual swimming lesson, I went for a swim too. I was merrily swimming away when I thought I recognised someone. And then thought it can't be as he's at work. Then when that same person came swimming towards me again, I realised I was right. It was Andrew! He'd finished work early and came along to surprise us!

I managed 64 lengths and Andrew did 50 - he wasn't in the pool as long as me. Our local pool isn't quite 25m as it has an adjoined moveable section, so I think it's 20m. Still, that's pretty good for two people who haven't been in a pool in a very long time!

Elize is very excited at the prospect of raising money for charity - as are Andrew and I. So, if you'd like to show your support for Marie Curie and Team Dawson, here's our team sponsorship link. All donations will be very gratefully received.

The Swimathon event runs from the 27th to the 29th April and we're taking part on the 28th, 1.30pm at Dunston Swimming Pool.

I don't know. The things you do for your kids!!