Makala Jones solo channel swim 9th July 2023

I started this fundraiser to support my inspirational friend Makala Jones in her extraordinary solo attempt to swim the Channel in July 2023. Makala is already fundraising for Paul Sartori, but she has yet to share the costs of taking on this challenge, of which she is funding the majority of this herself. The pilot boat alone costs £3500, she also has the accommodation costs, specialist equipment costs, travel and treatment costs which are over £5000. Please help me support Makala in this challenge. You can hear more about her story below:- The water and me I found swimming at an early age, and I was lucky that it just clicked. I loved being in the water; it soon became my biggest passion. I joined my local swimming club Milford Tigers, and became part of the Welsh regional squad. In my early teens, I became the Welsh champion in the 100 metres breaststroke and was honoured to represent Wales. A fellow Milford Tigers teammate and I were selected to train in Sheffield, the home of GB swimming! This was an incredible achievement, but sadly not to be, as unlike the sponsorship of modern-day, neither of our families had the funds to support us, so my journey ended. 25 years later, I and my family returned to Pembrokeshire. Both of my children took swimming lessons and swam for my old club Milford Tigers, like me. Being the type of Mum who loves getting involved with everything my two did, I trained as a pool swim coach and thrived at being part of their journey. But as teenagers grow and find their way, they soon choose to retire from competitions, and I was no longer poolside. How I got back in the water A good friend of mine and a keen sportswoman was diagnosed with Parkinson’s; she was told she would never be able to compete in a triathlon as she so longed to do. But she was filled with pure grit and determination, so I agreed to join her in her training. We both completed that triathlon, coming in last, but absolutely loving every second and feeling so proud. I caught the bug again, and 15 months later, I finished Ironman Wales. Being in the water again was where I truly felt at home, though I remember my first 100m swim after many years. Wow! I think it took me 3 minutes to complete.. but 3 hours to recover! One day, merrily scrolling through Facebook, I stumbled upon The Bluetits Chill Swimmers and being a wetsuit swimmer, swimming in just a swimsuit seemed crazy to me. But one evening, I plucked up the courage and joined a swim. It was incredible! I loved it! To me, the open water is at its best over the winter months, and I hope to complete an Ice Mile when the water temperature drops enough… 5°C, and only in a swimsuit! Channel Swimming Association swim cap and information booklet The story continues... Many of my friends I swam or dipped with knew I was previously a pool coach, so they often asked me for hints and tips. One of them was Sian Richardson - the founder of The Bluetits. She asked if I fancied coaching again and becoming an open water swim coach...yes, please! The Bluetits kindly sponsored me through my Level 2 Open Water Coach Course in 2021. I have since coached for a year as one of 23 approved Bluetit Swim Coaches, and now have my own small business - Calm Seas Swim Coach, running workshops, coaching and adventure courses. I have definitely found my calling, the pure joy of seeing people gain confidence in the water, finding comfort and freedom, is truly so rewarding. Being in this position is an honour, one which I hope to continue forever! Oh, and 2023 does have something else up its sleeve..the English Channel! Training is going well, and I cannot wait to make it onto the shores of France this summer. Please read the local article below. https://www.westerntelegraph.co.uk/news/20205285.bluetits-makala-jones-trains-english-channel-swim/