Whether you're taking on this challenge to raise much needed funds for Diabetes UK, get healthier, spend more time in the pool or simply to be a part of an amazing community, we have everything you need for a successful swimming challenge.
I signed up as I wanted to take on a fitness challenge. It was a fitness challenge at the start, then I focused a lot on fundraising (Archie was our top fundraiser in 2020 and raised over £3,000!). My first swim I swum 8 lengths, next I swum 20 lengths, then 40 lengths, then a mile and it kept going up from there.
I learnt that it is mind over matter and if you don’t give up you can get it done. I’ve never been an athlete and I’ve never been good at swimming.
I enjoyed the routine – I would go swimming every day before work at 6.30 for an hour. I had put time in for me and accomplished something before work and could get on with my day. That habit has stuck with me. I got addicted to the peace and quiet, and the conscious routine.
‘I'm 20 stone now. I was 25 stone. My diabetes is more under control and that's brilliant. But my physical health, the knock on side effects of that, and the reduction in anxiety and the self-confidence and sense of self worth that comes with it is, is huge.’
‘I have gained so much – a sense of purpose, self-respect. And importantly, my diabetes is mostly under control. I still swim – it’s part of who I am now.’
‘I still have an incredibly intense job, but now I can deal with it. I've got a coping mechanism. My anxiety levels have gone from probably being 9 out of 10 to being a one out of 10, so it has helped my mental health a lot.'
My friend’s mum, Laura, passed away in 2023 who had type 1 diabetes. I love swimming, so I thought it would be really cool to do something I enjoy and help a good cause at the same time. Laura was always really kind and showed me no matter how old you are you can do anything. Some of my family members also have diabetes, both type 1 and type 2, so I wanted to help people learn more about it and share it at my school.
I didn’t realise how far 11 miles actually was! I learned that helping others makes you feel really good inside and that even kids can do things for others and their community. I signed up to remember Laura and to raise money for Diabetes UK, but as I kept going, I realised I was also helping lots of people learn more about diabetes. This year I am taking on 22 miles!
I hoped that I would manage to reach my target of 22 miles and raise some money towards finding a cure for this awful disease. Coming close to the 22 miles my donations were much higher than I had ever dreamed of so I decided to keep swimming until the final date of the challenge. I managed to gain the 44 mile medal which my daughter wanted.
Swimming more made me feel great, it also gave me a chance to think about what Isla was going through and how lucky we are with all the developments they are making towards a cure for Type 1. It is a relentless disease, not an hour passes when we can forget about it.
Want to know more about the challenge? Check out our Event information & Frequently Asked Questions page.
To help make every swim count, we’ve put together a number of helpful resources like a sponsorship form and social media posts.
Alongside the rewarding feeling that comes with taking regular swimming for your health, we have a number of swim-tastic rewards for you to earn as you tick off fundraising milestones.
