In June 2026, I’ll be taking on one of the greatest open-water challenges there is and swimming the English Channel as part of a six-person relay team.

It’s a challenge that excites me and scares me in equal measure: 21 miles of cold, unpredictable water, strong tides and jellyfish, all in one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world. And while it’s 21 miles in a straight line, no one ever swims in a straight line with tides and currents pushing us off course, we’ll probably get closer to 35 miles before reaching France.

After knee surgery in October 2024 running was no longer an option for me however I still wanted something that would push me. Body, mind, and spirit. Swimming the Channel felt like the perfect way to do that. These days, I start every morning in my tub of cold water to get used to the cold and preparing myself, stroke by stroke, for what’s ahead.

We’re swimming in support of SwimTayka, an incredible charity that teaches children in developing countries how to swim and stay safe around water. A skill that can quite literally save lives.

Every year, 236,000 people lose their lives to drowning, with a large percentage of these deaths being under 25 years old. Drowning is in fact the fifth leading cause of death for children aged one to four. To aid SwimTayka is to aid the saving of countless young lives.

SwimTayka began in Peru, a country that holds a special place in my heart. It’s where I got engaged to Deborah in June 2025 with a beautiful view of Machu Picchu so this cause feels deeply personal to me.

Every mile we swim will help more children learn to love the water safely. Training is already underway. Early mornings, cold dips and long sessions in the pool so every bit of encouragement and support makes a huge difference.

Please donate if you can, share this page and cheer us on as we take on the Channel for a brilliant cause.

Thank you for helping make every swim count.