We are Victor and Arty, two 16-year-old housemates from Wellington College, and this month (one day 23-30 June depending on weather) we're taking on what many call the "Mount Everest of swimming": conquering the English Channel. This isn't just a personal challenge; it's our mission to raise £5,000 for SwimTayka, an incredible charity that provides life-saving swimming education and water stewardship skills to children in underprivileged communities across the globe.

Our Journey to the Channel:

Victor's passion for this cause was ignited during his four years living in the Bahamas. There, he witnessed firsthand the tragic reality of drowning, even on an island nation where the water is a way of life. He realised that these deaths are so often preventable – swimming isn't inherently difficult; it just needs to be taught. This experience solidified his understanding of how vital basic swimming skills are.

Arty's journey to becoming a Channel swimmer is a testament to what dedication can achieve. Just 24 months ago, while he knew how to swim, he wasn't particularly strong or comfortable in the water. Together, Arty and Victor started swimming regularly at Wellington, and the idea of the Channel swim began as a way to focus training and push boundaries. Now, after about six months of specific, intensive training, what started as a personal challenge has grown into a shared mission.

Swimming, for us, has become a journey of endurance, discipline, and now a powerful way to give back.

Why the English Channel? The Ultimate Test.

The English Channel is legendary among endurance athletes. It's often said that undertaking this swim is akin to climbing Mount Everest for swimmers. In fact, data suggests that more people successfully summit Everest each year than swim the English Channel, and Everest climbers often have a higher success rate. This formidable 21-mile stretch of cold, turbulent water, with its powerful tides, unpredictable weather, and busy shipping lanes, represents an immense physical and mental challenge.

We've already had a taste of what's to come. Both of us recently passed our qualifying swim: 2.5 hours in painfully cold 14°C water. It was incredibly tough, but it has made us even more determined and confident that we can handle some of what the Channel will throw at us. We know there are still many unknowns – jellyfish, challenging waves, the sheer scale of the massive container ships in the shipping lanes – but we're ready to face them.

Why SwimTayka? Making Waves of Change.

Our goal is to share our love for swimming with children in less privileged countries, sparking not only a passion for the sport but, crucially, saving lives through drowning prevention training. This is why every penny we raise is going directly to SwimTayka.

The global statistics on drowning are truly shocking: an estimated 236,000 deaths occur annually, with a large percentage of these being young people under 25. For children aged one to four, drowning is the 5th leading cause of death. SwimTayka is on the front lines tackling this preventable tragedy. They work in disadvantaged communities in Peru, Brazil, Indonesia, and Uganda, teaching children essential swimming and water stewardship skills. By supporting SwimTayka, we are directly contributing to saving young lives and empowering entire communities. Victor's experience in the Bahamas, seeing the impact of drownings in a place surrounded by water, brought home just how critical SwimTayka's mission is.

Your Support: Every Donation Creates a Ripple Effect

Reaching our £5,000 target will make a significant difference. SwimTayka has shown how donations can be transformative:

£20 can pay for class transport to a pool for one week.

£50 can cover the international postage of vital swimming gear to a project.

£250 can fund the hire of a pool for one month, providing a safe learning environment.

£500 helps SwimTayka fund local volunteers to support new project lessons for three crucial months.

This challenge is more than just a swim; it's an opportunity to make a lasting impact. We're two teenagers pushing our limits for a cause we believe in deeply. Your support, no matter the size, will motivate us through every cold, challenging stroke and help SwimTayka give children the gift of life through swimming.

Thank you for joining us on this incredible journey.

Victor & Arty