Formby woman is to swim the English Channel for Alder Hey hospital

A Formby woman is swimming the English Channel solo for Alder Hey Children's Hospital. Karen Ennis, who went to St. Peter's school and Formby High school has already raised over £6,200 of her £10,000 target.

Karen said: "My name is Karen Ennis nee Holman. Tomorrow, I am swimming the English Channel solo for Alder Hey Children's Hospital. It is my intention to raise £10,000 for them through my exploits this year."

So far, Karen has: - Swum for 6 hours in the sea in 15 degrees to qualify for the Channel swim - Swum the full length of Windermere 10.5 miles - Raised around £6,000 for Alder Hey - Been stung by the odd jelly fish - Come face to face with an eel - Encountered more duck 'deposits' than necessary! A few facts: - More people have climbed Everest successfully than have managed to swim the English Channel. - The Channel is one of the biggest shipping lanes in the world with 600 tankers and 200 ferries passing through daily. - Alison Streeter holds the record for the most ever crossings, the Briton has swum the Channel 43 times! - You can only swim in a normal costume, cap and goggles no wetsuits allowed. - The fastest lady Channel swimmer completed the feat in 7 hours and 25 minutes - The distance across the Channel in a straight line is 21.5 miles, the reality is with tidal currents and wind you can end up swimming upwards of 30 miles. Karen went on to say: "Please don't get excited, I will not break any records or swim the Channel 43 times, but I will swim the English Channel week beginning the 14th August 2017. I will be happy to complete the distance and not encounter to many curious or 'stingy' wildlife!" "I would love your support, you can follow my progress during the event either on Facebook or on the Channel Swimming Association's website. My supporting ship is called Masterpiece. It is crewed by Fred and his son Harry. When I did the end to end of Windermere I found it really motivating when people sent supporting messages which were read out to me at food stops so if you get a moment please get on Facebook and send me a smiley face." "I would also like to give a big shout out to my husband Gary and my friends Janet Quinlan, Lou Ball and Craig Baker who will be on board shouting encouragement and making sure I get food!" "I am blessed with a a very supportive family and friends who have given me masses of encouragement ; However, it wasn't enough for Lou Ball to help on the boat, she has also shaved all her hair off to raise extra funds!" "I have also been blown away by the kindness of strangers who have pressed money into my hands at the end of training swims in Queens Dock in Liverpool and local businesses who have displayed my posters and collection tins. To finish I'd like to mention a young lady called Katie, who having never met me, baked chocolate truffles and sold them to her neighbours to raise money on my behalf. People can be amazing!" "If you would like to help me on my journey by sending messages and contributing to Alder Hey Children's Hospital, please please do, you can find me at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/karen-ennis2"