AS Team Captain for this year's Great British Swim in October, I appeal to all your readers to take the plunge and join this unique swimming event to raise money for the National Asthma Campaign - the independent UK charity working to conquer asthma.

This year's goal is for everyone who takes part in the swim to reach the team target of £240,000 and to swim the combined distance of the length of the UK coastline - a total of 6,629 miles.

To find out how you can become involved, call Clare Green on 020 7704 5861.

KAREN PICKERING MBE, Commonwealth, European and World Championship medallist.