Dive in and swim the Channel in 12 weeks to support people with spinal injuries

A national challenge to swim the length of the English Channel from the comfort of your own pool is helping to raise money for people paralysed by Spinal Cord Injuries.

The Aspire Channel swim is back for 2023 giving swimmers of all ages and abilities the opportunity to raise money for charity.

The aim is to swim the 22 miles of the Channel in 12 weeks, which is around 59 lengths per week of a 50m pool.

The challenge officially kicks off on September 18 and finishes on December 11 and you can either take on the feat on your own or as part of a team with your friends, family, swimming club or swim school.

It’s the 24^th edition of the challenge which has helped raise millions of pounds to support people who are currently living with a spinal cord injury in the UK.

Those taking part can swim at their own pace, in their own time and at a pool or open water venue of their choice.

To take part and raise funds all you need to do is sign up and set up a free Just Giving page for people to donate to your swim and the cause.

‘Helping to change lives’

Every four hours someone is paralysed by a spinal cord injury and currently there is no cure.  Aspire work to ensure that those people have the support, advice and services they need to live independently from the moment someone sustains their injury.

And ahead of this year’s swim getting underway, Katy Boyd – who manages the Aspire Channel Swim – believes the swim is an opportunity to change people’s lives.

She said: “We’d love for you to join us in the Aspire Channel Swim, splashing down in pools all over the UK on 18 September.

“Every year since 1999 thousands of people have conquered the Channel in support of Aspire, raising more than £7 million since the challenge began.

“The Aspire Channel Swim is the perfect challenge for swimmers of all ages and abilities – your swimming and fitness will improve, and you’ll also help change the lives of people paralysed by Spinal Cord Injury.

“Join us and sign up for free today!”

On reaching £10 on your page, you’ll be sent a free limited edition Aspire Channel Swim 2023 swim hat and if you raise £25 or more an Aspire Channel Swim 2023 medal and certificate will be posted out to you after the challenge has ended.

There is no minimum amount of funds you need to raise to get involved and the swim has a dedicated Facebook community page to support you during your journey.

You can find out more about the event here.