mhs homes get ready for the British Gas Great London Swim

Published by Sarah Crowdy for MHS Homes in Housing

An intrepid team from mhs homes is preparing to make a splash at the British Gas Great London Swim on Saturday.

The five-strong group from the Kent-based housing association have been in training for the one-mile open water challenge at Royal Victoria Dock inLondon’s Docklands.

They will among 5,000 participants to don wetsuits to brave a water temperature of just 12 degrees.

 Their times will be recorded by a chip inserted into their swimming cap which is activated when passing under the start and finish gantries.

The team - Chief Executive Ashley Hook, Finance DirectorBruce Shelmerdine, Ricky Cottiss, Christian Brooks and Ashley’s daughter Charlotte – hope to raise £1,000 for the Alzheimer’s Society.

The charity is mhs homes’ staff-chosen cause for 2012.

Ashley said: “We are all raring to go and looking forward to it. None of us are serious swimmers and swimming in open water in a wet suit is more difficult than within the confines of a pool. There are no lanes, it is deep water and cold which presents an extra element of challenge to it. We are all going to be out of our comfort zone.”

 The team can be sponsored by going to http://www.justgiving.com/teams/mhs-homes