We have been together since the long gone days of 2000 after we met on a university field trip to Magalluf (we did get some work done, honest). However, our destiny was mapped out long before that when Jen's mum learnt what a nice chap Matt was when teaching him at primary school!
Jen has followed the family vocation and is now a primary school teacher near Romsey in Hampshire and Matt has just passed his PhD at Southampton University and wondering what on earth to do next! We have both always been sport and fitness mad and have spent much time over the past five or so years either running, cycling or swimming somewhere. We've done lots of 10k races, quite a few half marathons between us and a couple of years ago we spent our summer holidays getting sore bums while cycling to Santander in northern Spain. We're currently mulling over a cycle around Australia... This swim is a huge challenge for both of us and we are both enjoying the challenge of the rather large training load and the chance to raise loads of money for a very very worthy cause.
However, this event isn't just about the two of us. We wouldn't even be able to contemplate doing it without the help of family and friends. And I really think we'd be missing an opportunity if we didn't tell you about them to and show you some embarrassing photos!
DAVE AND EMILY:
Dave is Jen's brother and Emily is his true love. They are very nice. They get all enthusiastic about our ideas and always help. Dave is going to paddle alongside us in a boat while we swim to keep us safe and well fed and is also a horrendous geek and has helped us with computery things. Emily will be there on the day to cheer us on! To read Dave's blog click here.
RICH:
Rich is one of our very bestest friends and has kindly agreed to paddle alongside us in a support boat. He's also very active and has the highly annoying habit of beating us in races (although this trend has been happily reversed a couple of times recently). He'll probably be doing this in the number of triathlons we are doing together in the lead up to our swim!
SI AND LOU:
Si is Matt's brother and Lou is his wife. Here they are on their memorable wedding day in Thailand. I'm sure they both think we're a bit shot in the head for doing this but are going to come along and support us all the anyway! Lou's Mum and Dad, her brother and his girlfriend are also coming along to cheer for us on the day which is great!
EMMA AND CRAIG:
Emma is Jen's sister and she is married to Craig. They have the world's cutest baby, our nephew, Finley. Like all our family they are super supportive and will be there on the day, hopefully hassling people for their loose change!
OUR PARENTS:
Our parents will lead the shore crew for our swim, an important role that involves driving around and trying to spot us at as many different places as possible! But more importantly, bucket in hand, we will get them to harass locals and tourists alike for their spare change!
