UPDATE: Beth's English Channel attempt was a delayed success on 11th September 2026. Despite her best efforts swimming entirely at night, she stopped her Channel attempt for safety reasons. She plans to attempt to swim the English Channel again in the near future. Thanks so much for helping Beth raise 130% of her initial goal!

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In August 2023, I was hospitalized for a month with HSV1 encephalitis (brain inflammation) and meningitis. After being discharged from hospital, I attended outpatient therapy for six months to help regain speech, memory, and motor skills.

I was one of the lucky ones because I received lifesaving antiviral treatments quickly via IV every eight hours for fourteen days.

Now after three years, I am pursuing a goal I set before contracting encephalitis. The week of 19th - 26th August (weather permitting), I plan to swim the 21-mile English Channel and raise money for Encephalitis International.

I am thrilled to be able to pursue my love of marathon swimming again and raise funds for an organization that helped me so much during my recovery.

I am honoured to have recently been appointed to the Board of Trustees with Encephalitis International as a Trustee with a lived experience of encephalitis. My Trustee bio is here: https://www.encephalitis.info/team/elizabeth-mccarthy/

Worldwide, three people are diagnosed with encephalitis every minute. Caused by infection or autoimmune diseases, it can affect anyone. It is an acutely serious condition with high mortality rates, leaving many who do survive with an acquired brain injury - potentially affecting them physically and/or affecting their memory, thinking and personality for the rest of their lives.

Encephalitis International's mission is rebuilding futures of those affected: saving lives, accelerating awareness and driving research. Please donate if you can! Thank you!