What do the Channel and White Cliffs represent to you?

They mean so much to me. Swimming the Channel paved the way for the rest of my life, having swum it at such an early age. To conquer such a vast and important stretch of water inspired my life to different heights, and gave me a lot of confidence. From that day, August 19, 1979, after ten hours and nine minutes in the water, I never looked back. I left behind those beautiful White Cliffs, so significant in the second world war, to land on French soil. To this day, my British junior record still stands, and it has led to another 14 world records since, including a butterfly crossing in 2002.

What, in your experience, do people from other countries think of Channel swimmers?

People come from all over the world to swim the English Channel, as it is so famous. Obviously they have a high regard for the Channel, and think that Channel swimmers are a special bunch of people. Some say we are mad, but have total respect for what we do. It takes a certain kind of person, with dedication and a strong mental ability, to achieve such a feat. "The higher the mountain, the greater the climb and the better the view from the finishing line" it has been said, which is true.

What made you want to swim it when you were 15? Why was it so important?

I swam it when I was 15, as it was my dream. I had already made records on Lake Windermere and Morecambe Bay by the age of 14, and the blue riband is the Channel. I loved outdoor swimming so this was my next step. My family were supportive and helped me to achieve my dream. I also started raising money for charity from that day, money which started the hospice off in the Fylde, Lancashire. To this day, I've raised thousands of pounds for charity, which I'm very proud of.

Is the Channel really the most prestigious stretch of water for marathon swimmers?

The English Channel is, like I said, the blue riband of marathon swimming. It attracts many swimmers from all countries. More people have been into space than have completed the swim! Each day, the Channel holds something new, so it's definitely a big challenge, along with the cold water, being the busiest shipping lane in the world, and all the things in the water that one comes across, including jellyfish.

Can you describe what it feels like to complete the swim?

To complete the Channel is such a wonderful feeling. To sit on the beach at the other end, thinking, "I've just swum all that way" is amazing. I always collect a few pebbles as a souvenir of my swim if it's not a sandy beach! I've landed twice. The first time was in the dark on sand, and the second time, after my butterfy swim of 14 hours, I was able to listen to the lapping of the waves sat on the beach and take a moment to reflect on the journey I'd come on. Then I collected a few pebbles before taking the support dinghy back to the Viking Princess, the boat that had accompanied me.

• To find out more about what Julie's up to, visit her website at http://mysite.freeserve.com/juliebradshaw
  

  Julie Bradshaw MBE
  © courtesy Julie Bradshaw MBE http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/juliebradshaw