Raising £5,000 for the Rob Hill Foundation

The Dream

What are your big dreams and aspirations?

For me, it’s returning to the English Channel in 2026 to finish what I started.

In 2025, I took on one of the toughest endurance challenges in the world, a solo swim from Dover to France, covering 21 miles of open water. I spent 12 gruelling hours battling freezing temperatures, exhaustion, and powerful tides. But as the conditions changed, the tides turned against me and I was forced to stop short of France.

That moment didn’t break me, it strengthened my resolve.

So on Saturday 25th July 2026, I’m going back.

Why This Matters

I’m not just swimming for myself.

I’m swimming for The Rob Hill Foundation, the charity I founded in memory of my twin brother, Rob, who tragically lost his life to addiction. Our foundation delivers free mental health and addiction recovery workshops across the UK and online, reaching people who may otherwise have nowhere to turn.

In 2025, my Channel attempt helped raise £10,000 for this work.

In 2026, my goal is to raise £5,000 and complete the crossing.

The Challenge Ahead

This swim is one of the hardest endurance challenges on the planet:

- 🌊 21 miles of open water

- ⏱️ 17 hours on average to complete

- 🌬️ Battling tides, currents, waves, cold, and fatigue

- 🪼 Jellyfish stings and mental exhaustion

- ❄️ Water temperatures often below 16°C

Only around 40% of swimmers successfully complete the crossing.

In the next 7 months, I’ll be training relentlessly, physically and mentally, preparing my body and mind for one of the toughest tests imaginable.

I’ll also be training again with The King Swimmers, attending specialist swim camps in Menorca and Dover, learning from world-class Channel swim experts to give myself the very best chance of success.

Why I’m Going Again

This second attempt is about resilience, courage, and determination.

It’s about showing that setbacks don’t define us — how we respond to them does. The same mindset we teach in recovery is the mindset I’ll take back into the Channel: keep going, stay focused, and don’t give up when things get hard.

How You Can Help

I can’t do this alone.

Your support — whether through a donation or by becoming a fundraiser, helps in two powerful ways:

- It pushes me closer to reaching France in 2026

- It directly supports the Rob Hill Foundation’s life-changing work

Every contribution, no matter the size, creates a ripple effect of hope, encouragement, and positive change.

Be Part of the Journey 🌊

You can support this challenge in two ways:

👉 Click “Give Now” to donate directly

👉 Click “Start Fundraising” to raise money alongside me

Let’s make waves — literally and figuratively — and show what’s possible when we refuse to give up.

Thank you for believing in this journey and for supporting the Rob Hill Foundation 💙

Chris Hill