Nurse’s Channel swim for diabetes charity

Meg Robertson, 25, has worked in healthcare for four years nursing many patients with diabetes.

Meg has found working with patients has made her more aware of the condition.

On July 14 she will be one of five swimmers sharing the 30-mile distance from Dover to Calais. She aims to raise £1,425 for the charity.

She said: “I have witnessed the difficulties of managing the condition as well as the traumatic effects that the disease can create if left untreated. I know that increased awareness and funding will directly improve the lifestyles of diabetics and pre-diabetics, including the possible prevention of developing further complications such as foot problems, cardiac disease and strokes.

“As a future doctor, I want to be able to raise awareness on the global epidemic of diabetes. Increased funding for Diabetes UK will positively impact on prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the disease.”

Meg has been on an intensive training programme, going to the gym four times a week, swimming three times a week and practising in the sea once a week.

During the relay swim, she will not wear a wetsuit while she and team swim in two-hour blocks to the French coast. She will swim about eight miles in total.

She said: “It’s an unusual challenge that puts me right outside of my comfort zone on every level. In hindsight, it will be a brilliant accomplishment but for now, the training is gruelling and the coldness of the sea is shocking.

“I think it will be about 12 degrees, but it’s not the cold I’m dreading. It’s the ongoing swimming.

“What I’m most looking forward to is getting home and having a cup of tea and saying ‘I’ve just swum the Channel’.

To sponsor Meg go to www.justgiving.com/Meg-Olivia-Robertson or text: UKFR89 and the amount you wish to donate (up to £10) to 70070.