Open water passion FUNDRAISING appeal!!!

Hello  one and all,

As you all know i am completely passionate about swimming...in any water at any time any where and with as many people as i can, and i am equally passionate about encouraging others to do the same. I have thoroughly enjoyed coaching each and every person that i have come across that has asked for it (and some that haven't), whether that is for an event, a race, fitness, mental health what ever the reason, i have endeavored to create a safe environment were all feel safe, achieve, surpass that achievement and go on to develop a deep passion for swimming. I have met some incredible people along the way,  who's reasons for wanting to enter or re-enter the water have left me breathless at times.
I would now like to turn that passion into something more, the group is expanding which i am overjoyed with, people are progressing, requests are coming in for me to help more and more people and each and everyone of them will get my undivided attention.

But i want to turn my passion into a qualification and therefore what to formalise what i am doing and 'be qualified' so we can get  more and more people into the open water, the pool and into swimming in general. I also wish to apply for funding  to the group so we can get training aids, wetsuits etc so the cost of starting in open water or any other type of swimming is not so great for people, i have been informed that if i am qualified and formalise the group we can apply and will certainly get funding for equipment. I want to make it a truly inclusive hobby or sport for people of all ages, abilities and disciplines. This last year has shown me how passionate i am about helping people reach their goals and i want to continue to do so.

But right now i need your help, as some of you know, i got made redundant (believe me i was not pleased about it) and money is not the easiest thing for me to find, swim courses are not held on a roll on roll off basis, there is a course coming up  in March, but applications have to be in by the 6th of Feb, so essentially i have until the 5th to raise the money. My plan for the immediate and long term future is to get myself qualified then to raise money through sponsorship and any other means i can to get others qualified so that each an every one of us that wants to can get not only a qualification but a career in swimming, so we can keep the bug that is inside all of us alive and kicking. I also plan to extend this to other groups so they can be formalised and each of us do the same in our respective locations. There are no formal qualifications other than triathlon ones to teach open water swimming...as a trainer i will be looking to write a course for others to qualify in, we all work hard at our hobby, but i feel we could really expand what we do and really open it up to the masses. You know how passionate i am but also how proud so i do not ask lightly, your generosity would be appreciated, even if its just a penny...look down the back of the sofa....!!! I know times are hard for one and all so that is why i will understand if you can not help..if you can you know it will be money not wasted. For each an every one of that gets qualified a new swim adventure starts, we will be a team and who knows in the future we might be recognised for the impact we have on swimming and those who want to swim! How do you donate....via paypal as i think that is the safest way!!! If you can think of any other way i can raise the money ......let me know!!

My paypal address is pauline_squire@sky.com

Anything no matter how large or small would be eternally grateful. It goes without saying, my progress, the swims, the fun the laughter and the future will all be blogged about ...so there will be plenty for you to read about too xxxx