Georgi is 'swimming the English Channel'

(Image reproduced from the Oxford Mail)

Okay, not literally. But, along with my friend Lorraine, over the next couple of months I'm aiming to swim the distance from Dover to Calais - that's 22 miles, or 35.4km - to raise money and awareness for the UK charity Aspire.

Aspire provides support to people with spinal injuries, and as some of you know, I have some experience of spinal injury myself. In my case, way back in 1993, recovery was at first only a 50:50 proposition, but ultimately the permanent damage has been minimal. Many other people (40,000 in the UK alone) just aren't that lucky, and their lives are forever changed.

But the human spirit doesn't want any less just because the body won't do as it's told. In the years since my accident, I've met people with quadriplegia (limited movement in arms, torso as well as legs) who can drive a car; who have borne children; completed post-graduate study; run companies. I even met a chap who, determined that a broken neck would not end his ballet career, now performs inspirational 'wheelchair dance' and moving spoken word shows.

For these people, and others like them, getting on with life requires extra support - during rehab and, often, in every day tasks the rest of us take for granted, from getting out of bed to the proverbial "shower-sh!t-and-shave" so you can get to the office. ASPIRE helps people in the UK with all sorts of tricks, tips and modifications.

As an Aussie, I can't remeber ever not knowing how to swim, and it stood me in good stead when I came to start rehab. Thre months after my accident, my physio said the best thing I could do for my healing body was get in the pool, so I did: 6 days a week for a year, aided and abetted by my uni mate Dave, who was recovering after a snapped Achilles tendon. Through weeks and months when I couldn't walk unaided and always felt clumsy on land, to get in the water where I was nearly weightless and so agile felt just like heaven.

For all these reasons, to get back in the pool to raise money for such an awesome cause feels especially appropriate.

Please support me if you can. I have a page set up through Just Giving: www.justgiving.com/georginastickels. Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me, whether you're at home or abroad. And, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

I'm going to keep posting updates through my blog, and on my facebook page, as well as at Just Giving... my first swim will be today!

So watch this space for further updates, and thanks for helping me make a difference!