Just want to say a huge thank you to everyone who sent messages whilst I was swimming the channel and, in the days, and months before. My amazing crew of Sandra Riley, James Tinsley and hubby, Iain Hislop, were telling me there was a lot of support whilst I gulped down feeds, dodged jellies and looked in awe at all the huge tankers. It really helped to know so many people were following the tracker and willing me on

Big shout out to Karen Quartermain and Dave Quartermain at Uswim Adventure who wrote the training plan and got me through the milestone swims in preparation for the big day. All those early starts, night swims, long swims, sea swims and cold-water swims were totally worth it, and I could not have done it without you.

I had a wobble in January when COVID shut the pools and frigid temps made long swims outdoors difficult. I could see my dream rapidly disappearing but I took stock and had a re-think, I wanted this, so persevered with running, land work, Pilates, and tethered swimming. 

It was reported in the news recently, that Welsh swimmer, Matt Richards, went from garden pool to a gold at the Olympics, if it was good enough for him, it was certainly good enough for me.

Channel day arrived and it all went to plan (sort of); we met pilot Kevin Sherman at 4:15am. There was a nip in the air and a moderate drizzle as we waited for the water in Folkestone harbour to rise then boarded Connemara and made our way to Samphire hoe. As dawn approached, I was basted in channel grease then leapt off the boat into chilly waters and made my way to the pebbly shore. The stones beneath my feet were sharp, I exited the water in an ungainly fashion, as soon as I held my hand aloft they tooted the horn, signalling the beginning of the swim and I was off … only I followed the wrong boat! 

Thanks to frantic waving and shouting my my error was corrected quickly, and I got back on track, the sky cleared, and I got a rainbow as I left the cliffs of Dover behind and began my journey to France.

It was hard work from the off, I didn’t quite have the calm seas I’d envisaged, nor did I emerge triumphant at the end onto a sandy beach but I’ll take staggering through the waves and being slammed against the rocks because I did it, I swam to France and I am now an English Solo Channel swimmer! I did not do this alone, I had help; my husband, my friends and family, work colleagues, my local swimming community and all at the Uswim family. 

Thank you, thank you to everyone who helped me on my journey and to those who contributed to my just giving page: I’ve raised just over £3000 pounds for the Stroke association which will make a real difference to people’s lives.

Watch the Video below of her Adventure. 12 hours and 2 Minutes Helen became a channel swimmer. A little smashed up after a wave decided to knock her down in her moment of Glory. Well Done Helen SO SO Proud of your achievement